In recent days, the rivers in the East have not recorded very high levels. The reason is the drought in the sector, which is forcing whitewater activities companies to adapt.
At Ilet Coco, on the banks of the Marsouins River, this early summer Sunday is ideal for relaxation and whitewater nautical activities.
Some opt for rafting, others simply for swimming, like this lady, who comes out of the water. Better than the beach, she makes clear.
“It's refreshing to be in greenery, and we're calmer. The water temperature is excellent, although it is a little hard to get into. But we don't feel cold at all when we're there, we could stay there for a very long time!“, she enthuses.
Others are returning from a rafting trip. “Stunning“, said one of them. “It would take a little more water, but it's navigable“.
This gentleman rightly puts his finger on one of the problems that whitewater companies in the East are currently experiencing: the lack of water. The Eastern region has a water deficit of -32% since the last rains brought by Belal and Candice at the start of the year, according to figures from the drought committee.
“The waterways are very dry, there is a lot of water shortage in the rivers“, confirms Tillman Bouvet, the rafting guide.
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©Réunion La 1ère
For these activities, such as rafting, canoeing, canoeing or even water hiking, the weather is a determining factor. But the absence of rain is not the only cause, according to Tillman Bouvet.
“We need rain, but also water releases from Takamaka (the hydroelectric power station, editor's note) which allow us to be able to sail in good conditions.“, underlines the professional.
Lately, Tillman Bouvet says he has sometimes had “very little water in the river for the morning groups“, causing dissatisfaction among some customers.
“We are trying to shift schedules and adapt the boats by taking smaller boats”
Tillman Bouvet, the rafting guide
Because the Takamaka hydroelectric power station, upstream of the whitewater activities base, is backed by a dam which creates a reservoir lake. This water then powers the turbine of the power plant, which, thanks to an alternator, creates this renewable energy, injected into the electricity network.
For several years, “water releases” are carried out by EDF, in order to allow a satisfactory water level for whitewater activities in the Rivière des Marsouins. But these have been random lately, according to Tillman Bouvet.
“A little more water in the river and regular releases would be much easier for us and more pleasant for the customers”
Tillman Bouvet, the rafting guide
“They need water and electricity, and depending on the days, the weekends, the needs of the population, we are never on the same schedule“, deplores the rafting guide, who impatiently awaits the rainy season to be able to work properly with or without these water releases from the power plant.
A few kilometers away, other watercourses are in a more worrying state. The mouth of the Rivère-du-Mât, for example, was reduced to a thin trickle of water joining the ocean.
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©Réunion La 1ère
Just this week, the prefecture of Reunion Island called on the population to “responsible consumption” water, faced with resources under pressure in several sectors, notably the East and South-West of the island.
