French National Hydrological Situation Bulletin of the 15th November 2024
Following on from an already very wet start to the autumn, there was a succession of very active disturbances accompanied by sometimes torrential rain, causing major flooding in places. Rainfall was generally in excess in most regions.
Groundwater levels were in surplus in October, with 78% above normal monthly levels. The situation remains worrying, with very low groundwater levels in the Roussillon region.
River flows are stable, as are water conditions, which are generally above average throughout the country, with the exception of Roussillon and the Massif Central, where flows are still below median.
As of 12 November, 6 départements are affected by restrictions on water use beyond the vigilance level, including 4 départements which have implemented crisis measures.
Find all the French hydrological situation bulletins
The national hydrological situation bulletin (BSH national) describes the state of water resources on the metropolitan territory of the previous month.
It is the result of collaboration between different data producers and managers:
- Météo-France for meteorological data (rainfall, soil moisture, snow cover);
- the basin DREAL1 and the SCHAPI2 for data on river flows and the state of filling of dams (in collaboration with other national players, such as EDF3 , VNF4 and EPTB5 such as Seine Grands Lacs and Loire);
- BRGM for groundwater levels. These data are produced ten times during the year, which explains their absence from certain bulletins;
- the French Biodiversity Office (OFB) for observations on low water levels (between June and October).
The bulletin is produced under the aegis of the editorial committee made up of the various contributors to the BSH (data producers and managers), led by the International Office for Water (OiEau), in conjunction with the OFB and the Water and Biodiversity Directorate of the Ministry of Ecological Transition.
1 Regional Directorates for the Environment, Spatial Planning and Housing
2 Flood Forecasting Support Service
3 Électricité de France
4 Voies navigables de France
5 Territorial basin public establishments