Half (51%) of all groundwater tables are at moderately high to very high levels. This relatively favourable situation for the time of year is due to notably abundant rainfall continuing into late spring.
13 August 2018
Map of water table levels in France on 1 August 2018

Map of water table levels in France on 1 August 2018. 

© BRGM 

Water table levels on 1 August 2018 are uneven across the different regions. 

Half (51%) of all groundwater tables are at moderately high to very high levels while about one third (29%) are at moderately low to very low levels. The remaining fifth (20%) are at average levels. This relatively favourable situation for the time of year is  due to notably abundant rainfall continuing into late spring. Except in some sectors, water tables are generally above the levels usually observed in summer.  

Trends in water table levels

The general trend in water table levels reflects the low-water period, with levels now stable or rising at only 11% of measurement points. This is not an unusual situation in midsummer. The number of points where levels were tending to drop had increased very significantly by 1 August, at 89% as compared to 56% on 1 July. This situation reflects the summer low-water period. 

The status of water tables on 1 August 2018 clearly reflects the low-water period that usually occurs at this time of year.