Map of water table levels in France on 1 April 2019.
© BRGM
In March 2019, the trend seems to have reversed, with levels generally rising slightly in northern France and falling in the south. This suggests recharge may end earlier than usual. However, heavy rainfall in early April could still improve the situation by prolonging recharge before vegetation starts to grow again.
Water table levels are around or below monthly averages. The levels of several reservoirs are already moderately low to low. Some areas in north-eastern France between the Bas-Rhin and Rhône départements show rather problematic levels, sometimes close to the minimum recorded for March. This leaves an unsatisfactory situation following this period, when winter recharge should normally be observed to have a greater influence.
The levels reflect low recharge volumes in 2018-2019 due to low and sometimes late rainfall in autumn and winter. It should be noted that recharge was nil during the winter period in some areas, particularly in Normandy, Île-de-France, Burgundy and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Lastly, levels are generally lower than in the previous year (March 2018), which was generally satisfactory at the end of winter.
