In Laroque, tourism slows down after the dam on the Hérault river bursts

Les travaux de colmatage au pied des restaurants, ce mardi, à Laroque. Midi Libre – GIACOMO ITALIANO

Des travaux ont été entrepris pour colmater une brèche apparue sur l'ouvrage d'art situé au coeur de Laroque, sur le fleuve Hérault. Baignade et navigation sont interdites dans un rayon de 200 mètres autour du site, habituellement très prisé par les touristes.

Like November 3, 2011, which saw the water rise to 9.40 m in Laroque, the date of July 24 will remain in the memories. Although the consequences are fortunately nothing to do with it, the partial rupture of the water retention sill also created a break in the middle of the tourist season.

Installed for a long time, this “slide” was a delight for thousands of vacationers going down the Hérault River by canoe. It also allowed people to swim along sandbanks upstream, sheltered from the current.

With the appearance of this breach, unusual currents were created, constituting a danger for users of the river. The approach of autumn, which could be marked by rainy episodes of exceptional intensity, forced the municipality to react quickly.

The small beach at a standstill in the center of Laroque. Midi Libre – GIACOMO ITALIANO

Catering and navigation in decline

It is 12:30 this Tuesday, August 20, in the heart of the village. Of the five establishments that have a terrace overlooking the Hérault, three are closed. The other two are only half full. “In August, there are usually a lot of people!, exclaims a local resident. But since people can no longer swim here, it affects the number of visitors." While everyone recognizes that the work is essential, the noise of the jackhammers, until 1 p.m., does not encourage people to hang around.

Located just above the water retention threshold, Plagette is at a standstill. The boat that allowed people to cross the Hérault to the wooded park, just opposite, has been put away. Canoes and pedal boats will suffer the same fate. “All activities could be practiced, even when the water level was very low”, explains Aziz El Alami, who finds himself without activity for his first season at La Plagette. Another kitty has been launched on Leetchi to help him, allowing to collect 415 € so far.

Mayor Pierrick Ciribino faces the breach. Midi Libre – GIACOMO ITALIANO

At least 110,000 € will be needed

This Tuesday, August 20, nearly four weeks after the rupture, excavators were busy replacing stone blocks to plug the four-meter-long breach. All under the eye of the mayor, Pierrick Ciribino, who had obtained authorization from the prefect to carry out this emergency work. “And this even though voices were being raised for the removal of the threshold within State services”, explained the elected official in a press release dated August 10.

Two days later, the work began, which should last fifteen days and therefore end at the end of the month. This Tuesday, the Delpuech company – who has "waived labor costs", the mayor points out, was working to plug the hole.

55,000 € are necessary for this emergency operation, and at least as much for the structural studies in the fall, among others. In Laroque, several residents fear that the slide is no longer up to standard and that it will have to be completely redone…

Bruno Pascal Durance, owner of Western Canoës. Free Midi – GIACOMO ITALIANO

Sad month of August at Western Canoës

"We really have no luck because unlike previous years, there was a good water level this year… " Bruno Pascal Durance, owner of the Western Canoës company for twenty years, is looking gloomy.

Since July 24, it has been impossible to launch boats in Laroque, navigation being prohibited upstream of the breach of the water retention sill.

The parking lot is three-quarters empty and the boats are waiting for vacationers. The few customers who show up put on their swimsuits before getting into a van, heading for the Suspension Bridge in Saint-Bauzille-de-Putois.

They won't be doing the 15 km route, which is no longer accessible for safety reasons. Too bad for the rapids of La Glissière, S, Piquets and Moulin. There's only the 8 km left, which is easier. "But the people who do it are delighted because this part is also wilder", Bruno explains.

A little balm for the heart in a very difficult context. "For three years, we have had fewer people. And this year, for the first time, we have a lot fewer foreigners. Fortunately, there are locals…"

While we will have to wait until the end of the summer to assess the shortfall, he already estimates his shortfall at "60%". “There are only two of us left to run the shop, whereas there used to be four or five of us”.

“We hope for a nice late season in September and especially no torrential rain. In September 2014, due to a flash flood, I lost a six-metre-long mobile home where I stored equipment, and lots of canoes”.

This year, the largest canoe rental company in the area, Le Moulin, also closed its Laroque base. The 6 and 13 km sport descents are no longer possible.

Participatory kitty and clarification

Five days after the break-up, Pierrick Ciribino created a surprise by opening a participatory kitty. 94 donors helped raise 6,418 euros. But with donations made directly to the town hall, more than 15,000 euros were collected. The Region and the Department will contribute 12,800 euros each.

If residents criticize the lack of maintenance of the structure, the mayor responded to them in this same press release. “These same people would be very surprised to see the administrative battle that has been waged since 2020, and this up to the highest levels of the State”.

Participatory kitty on www.onparticipe.fr/c/MlAufziF I subscribe to read the rest