Observed trends in river flow rates in France
On the whole, water resources in France are sufficient, however, there are significant differences between regions and times of year. Local shortages have increasingly led to restrictive measures on water usage. Why do water shortages occur? Are water resources in fact becoming more rare? Is this situation linked to excessive human usage or climate change? This document studies the fluctuations in water resources caused by climate factors in order to answer these questions.
The document presents the changes over the last 40 years in the hydrological regimes (high, mean and low flows) of rivers considered undisturbed or only slightly disturbed by human activities in continental France as well as in the overseas territories. The study is based on data from a selection of hydrometric stations in the French national network that is outstanding and of the upmost value due to its size and age.
Evolutions observées dans les débits des rivières en France. Sélection d'un réseau de référence et analyse de l'évolution temporelle des régimes des 40 dernières années
| Knowledge for action
| December 2012
Ce document présente l’évolution des régimes hydrologiques (hautes eaux, débits moyens et étiages) des rivières peu ou non influencées par l’action humaine, sur toute la France, pendant les 40 dernières années. L'analyse de cette évolution s’appuie sur une sélection de stations hydrométriques du réseau national, remarquable par son étendue et sa pérennité.
