“A clear improvement in the situation”: in South Aveyron, the latest rains have recharged the water tables

Les techniciens du PNRGC lors de la “tournée des sources du Larzac”, le 16 mai 2024. PNR

The episodes of rain in recent months have been beneficial for groundwater recharge. Precipitation recorded between March (68mm, +64%), April (42mm, 40%) and early May (69mm) actively participated in a return to suitable levels. Regular and sometimes sustained, these precipitations have had a positive influence on the territory, analyzes the Grands Causses Regional Natural Park.

"Happy April recharge"

On the Sévérac causse, the flow rates have stabilized at the Ségala and Bastide sources, with aquifer levels returning to seasonal averages. To the east of Larzac, the aquifers are also risen with rather high indicators and flow rates above normal at the Durzon source in Nant. The observation is shared further south, in the Lodévois sector, where the good recharge in April allows to observe "high to very high" on resources.

"The recharge period should end in April or May, depending on the rainfall totals and the reactivity of the water table. Recharge episodes should then remain punctual and not very intense, barring significant rainfall events. The situation of inertial layers should only change slightly over the coming weeks, concludes the Bureau of Geological and Mining Research (BRMG).

The water table situation on April 1st. BFGM

Significant improvement in the situation

On the Rougier side, a sector heavily impacted by the water deficit in recent months, the improvement in the situation is clear.

The flow rates measured at the Céras hydrological station in Brusque bear witness to this, with a water resource now present in quantity. Finally, on the Taurin at Saint-Rome-de-Tarn, levels fluctuate with seasonal averages.

While it is announced in the coming weeks, the start of the low water period, "the summer season being less conducive to the recharge of groundwater bodies", notes the PNR, these latest readings "encouraging&amp ;quot; allow us to better understand the months to come.

Hydrological assessment for the month of May 2024. PNR