French National Hydrological Situation Bulletin of 13th November 2023
After an almost summery start to October, with remarkably hot and dry weather until the 13th, a parade of very active disturbances swept across most of France during the second half of the month, ending the month in autumnal mood.
The combination of low rainfall and remarkably high temperatures for the season meant that soil moisture remained at an unseasonably low level during the first fortnight of October, before becoming much wetter following heavy rain from the 18th to the 31st over a large part of France.
The rainfall that infiltrated was insufficient to bring about any significant improvement in the state of the water tables. The situation remains close to that of September: 65% of levels are below monthly normals in October (66% in September). The state of the water tables remains mixed. Levels are below normal over a large part of the country, particularly around the Mediterranean, the Rhône-Saône corridor and southern Alsace.
In terms of watercourses, overall across the country, river flows have improved compared with the previous month, although base flows remain below the median.
As of November 13, 13 départements have implemented crisis measures and 19 départements are affected by restrictions on water use beyond the vigilance level.
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