Map of water table levels in France on 1 April 2018.
© BRGM
Water table levels on 1 April 2018 were uneven across different regions.
More than half (56%) of all groundwater tables were at moderately high to very high levels while less than a quarter (23%) were at moderately low to very low levels. One fifth (21%) were at average levels. This confirms the significant impact of the rains at the beginning of the year. With the exception of a few areas, it can be noted that groundwater levels across a large part of the country benefited from a much-needed recharge due to the rainfall over the last three months.
Trends in water table levels
The general trend as regards the change in the water table levels reflects that the winter recharge period is coming to an end. With only 49% of the levels still rising, we are now at the stage where the vast majority of the points monitored are tending to stabilise. The number of points showing a downward trend is stable (25%) compared with the previous month. This situation reflects the transition between the high-water period and the start of a new drop in levels. The end of the winter recharge seems to have arrived, unless there is heavy rainfall in April.
The status of the water tables on1 April 2018 shows that the winter recharge was positive over the first few months of 2018 but that it now seems to be slowing down significantly.
