To understand what is likely to happen on the Orléans Canal in the coming hours, we must first explain the current situation. Usually, at the end of summer, the channel is at a rather low level. But this year, with the rains in spring and again in September, the canal is particularly well filled. “In theory, it is not capable of absorbing more than 46 millimeters of water. explains Yves Bergot, the manager of the canal service in the Loiret department. However, according to different projections from Météo France, it could fall between 40 and 60 mm of water on the Loiret between Wednesday and Thursday. ” In particular, 50 mm of water is expected in just a few hours during the night from Wednesday to Thursday and that is a phenomenon that worries us.”.
Pumps urgently installed on the Mardié lock
To prevent the risk of flooding, the department, owner of the canal, has therefore carried out several actions since the start of the week. The level of the various ponds which feed the canal has been lowered, by around 30 cm for example at the Vallée pond in Combreux. The levels of the reaches of Donnery, Combleux and Vitry-aux-loges have also been lowered 60 cm to facilitate water drainage. But one point poses a problem today, the Mardié lock which is currently under construction with the installation of a valve. ” On this structure, there are currently nozzles to evacuate as much water as possible. But, given the upcoming event, this will not be enough” according to Yves Bergot. The department has therefore decided to urgently install pumps on the Mardié lock. They will be operational from Wednesday evening and will make it possible to reach a third of the evacuation capacities.
“A priori, we are not experiencing a phenomenon similar to 2016”
Since the 2016 floods on the Orléans Canal, the Loiret department has strengthened its risk prevention policy. Several locks have been redone, there are now probes which measure water levels in real time and the information from town halls has been made more fluid. “A priori, we are not experiencing a similar phenomenon in 2016 where it rained for several days” reassures Yves Bergot, “now, we remain with a natural phenomenon that is always difficult to predict. But, everything that can be done in terms of prevention is done“. For the night from Wednesday to Thursday, when the risk is the highest, 6 agents from the department will take turns to monitor the canal.
Patricia Pourrez
