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The Rhône basin has been classified as an Operational HELP basin.
Collaboration between the Rhône and Pays de Savoie-Mont Blanc-Lac Léman basins is being developed. Detailled information on this cooperation (in French) is available as a Pdf. file under "Publications". Basin Properties Geographic properties: With a total length of 812 km, of which 522 km are downstream from Lac Léman, the Rhône drains a basin of 97 000 km2, of which 90 000 km2 are in its French portion (1/6th of the national territory). The river emerges from the Furka glacier (2431 m) and drains the Swiss Valais between the crystalline Pennine Chain and the sedimentary Northern Prealps. After expanding into Lac Léman, which was originally limestone, it cuts through the folds of the Jura and reaches the north-south graben of the Saône and the Rhône, bordered on the west by the passive margin of the Massif Central and to the east by the Alps which folded at the end of the Tertiary. The Rhône basin receives between over 2000 mm of precipitation on the mountains and 500 mm at the edge of the Mediterranean. The seasonal hydrological regimes are varied with a glacial and nival influence at altitude, an oceanic regime during the winter high waters north of the basin and a Mediterranean regime during the spring and autumn high waters in the southern portion. With an annual runoff volume of 54 km3, or 1720 m3/s at its mouth, it is ranked 48th in the world for its rate of flow but 16th for its specific abundance (annual volume of runoff brought to the surface area of its basin), whose value - 571 mm runoff depth - means a strong potential for developing uses. This flow, which is quite evenly distributed throughout the year, makes it the greatest inflow to the Mediterranean (1/6th of total inflow). The main tributaries of the Rhône are the Ain (120 m3/s), the Saône (410 m3/s, the Isère (350 m3/s). The main floods : 1840, 1856, 1951, 1984, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1996, 2002, 2003. The main droughts : 1921, 1949, 1976, 1989, 2003. Demographic properties: As a major historical axis for North-South exchanges, the Rhône is subjected to heavy pressure from uses. Its basin in France is home to over 9 million inhabitants – just under 1/6th of the French population – and almost 3 million riparian inhabitants. The population in the Rhône basin is very unevenly distributed. Population in the main urban areas
Water Poverty Index : between 68 and 78 depending on the sectors of the Rhône basin. Land uses: The Rhône Basin is home to a highly urbanised area (355 communes around Lyon) (table ZA Lyon nord Isère) and a territory which is subject to less urban pressure (Rhône Valley table). The Rhône Valley, however, consists of a string of towns, mobility corridors (trunk roads, motorways, railways). The valley is also home to many industries (“chemical corridor” downstream from Lyon). Agriculture is also an major sector in the local economy. Most irrigated agriculture is in the southern part of the basin. At the same time, some areas have been designated as “back to nature” areas, thus allowing users to reclaim the river area. Land use – ZA Lyon nord Isère
Source: Etat des lieux DCE du Rhône (Agence de l’eau RMC, DIREN de Bassin, January 2004) Land uses –Rhône Valley
Source: Etat des lieux DCE du Rhône (Agence de l’eau RMC, DIREN de Bassin, January 2004) Water resources and uses in the basin:
Withdrawals of surface water and groundwater (in thousands of cubic metres, 2001)
Volumes withdrawn by use (in thousands of cubic metres, 2001)
* : Potable water supply (standard consumption*) ** : Electricité de France (French Electricity Board) Environmental properties: sensitive ecosystems, biodiversity and environmental impacts in the basin Ecosystems that are sensitive due to the presence of water include marshes and peat-bogs, some located in mountains (acid and alkaline peat-bogs depending on the types of substrate), others in ancient basins which were over-deepened and ice-dammed during the Quaternary Ice Age. These environments are threatened by drying out operations. The natural environments of the alluvial plains have been significantly reduced by dike-building which has been carried out since the late 18th century; they remain in a relict state dispersed along the Rhône and its tributaries. Policy and legislative issues: The Rhône basin contains many watercourses with management procedures that differ according to their legal status.
Managing these watercourses involves mobilising a multitude of actors:
These all participate in drawing up and implementing river planning and management tools : Schéma directeur d’aménagement et de gestion des eaux (SDAGE, Master Plan for Water Development and Management), Plan de prévention des risques (PPR, Risk Prevention Plan) and a ten-year programme of hydraulic and ecological restoration of the Rhône etc., which all contribute to the implementation of key principles regarding the right to water. The various actors must meet the challenges set by the European Water Framework Directive which obliges everyone to work towards the common goal of a good ecological status for all aquatic environments by 2015. Baseline information availability: In the Rhône basin, there are data produced by the scientific community or by operational actors or else by these two categories joining forces in the interests of environmental research and management. Data structuring systems There are two data structuring systems on the Rhône basin. Database of water data collection systems: This database, based on the SANDRE model (Service d’Administration Nationale des Données de Référence sur l’Eau, French Data Reference Centre for Water), characterises data owned by the main data producers. The data base can be accessed at http://www.rnde.tm.fr. Databanks can be found by type (national databases, basin bank and network) and by theme (Surface water, pluviometry; littoral water; groundwater; waste), Withdrawals, Potable water, Swimming). It can sometimes allow the user to be linked directly to the data (for instance, the data network on the water of the Rhône Mediterranean Corsica basin – RDBRMC). The géorépertoire or georeferenced digital library of Rhône basin data: The ZABR has decided to set up a high quality experimental system from a research observatory perspective and has set itself the task of producing critically assessed data whether they concern physical size or statistics or biological and human data. The ZABR is drawing on existing networks, managed by public or parapublic services and proposes to complete these systems, generally installed on main axes and sub-basins by close monitoring of hydrosystems. This is why the ZABR has begun producing a georeferenced digital library of hydro-socio-economic data related to the various sites of the ZABR. It aims to make an inventory, retrieve batches of data and describe them using a set of metadata or descriptive summaries. It allows every user to be aware of existing data and have the necessary information to access it. It represents a true information portal of scientific knowledge of the Rhône basin. This portal comprises a database which can be accessed via a web interface. These 2 data structuring systems thus allow users to know the extent of existing data on the Rhône basin and also gives them the access keys. Non-exhaustive elements on existing data Inventory of data processed by the laboratory members of the ZABR This non-exhaustive inventory gives an overall view of existing scientific data on the Rhône basin. Basin:
Othu: Vigilance Data base:
Simulation model of the sewerage system of Grand Lyon (Greater Lyon) Drôme: Monitoring of key dynamic variables: hydro-physical (liquid flow, water temperatures) ; geomorphological (solid discharge, erosion) ; ecological (population monitoring) ; landscapes (land uses) and social (frequentation of the basin). Wetlands:
Y lyonnais:
Rhône-Saône Axis:
Inventory of data of the Network of the Rhône Mediterannean Corsica basin:
Organisations and institutions responsible for Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in the basin: Partner entities of the ZABR The entities presented below, all leading players in the management of the Rhône basin, are members of the Steering Committee of the ZABR, which is charged with formulating the finalised research programme of the Zone Atelier. La Zone Atelier Bassin du Rhône (ZABR), which has had the CNRS seal of approval since 2001, aims to set up observation sites and research programmes to provide immediately operational scientific elements for support public decision-making in the sustainable management of watercourses and their basins. It gathers around twenty or so research teams specialising on the Rhône basin. The ZABR, which has had the CNRS seal of approval since 2001, is part of the network of French zones ateliers and forges close links with its American counterparts, the LTER (Long Term Environmental Research). Its key strategies are drawn up in consultation with the leading actors of the Rhône basin. L’Observatoire de terrain en hydrologie urbaine (OTHU, Field Observatory in Urban Hydrology). This research federation is an extra-muros observation laboratory for urban waste and its impacts on recipients in order to propose new design and management solutions for sanitation. L’Agence de l’Eau Rhône Méditerranée et Corse. The mission of the Rhône-Mediterranean-Corsica Water Agency, a public state institution, is to initiate efficient use of water resources, pollution control, and aquatic environment protection, at the level of the Mediterranean basin. It levies charges from water users based on the polluter-pays principle and the income from these charges enables the Agency to give financial support for local, water-related actions which are of common interest for the Basin and carried out by local authorities, industrialists, associations and farmers … To orientate its policy for support and water charges and to assess its effects, the Water Agency is actively involved in knowledge acquisition and information dissemination on the aquatic environment : studies and monitoring measurement networks, notably through its involvement in the ZABR and through calling on the scientific expertise of the River Basin Committee. The Water Agency is closely involved in implementing the European Water Framework Directive. La DIREN Rhône-Alpes. The mission of the Direction Régionale de l’Environnement (DIREN, Regional Environment Department), representing the Ministry for the Environment in Rhône-Alpes is to know and promote environmental awareness of the Rhône-Alpes; to protect and value the environment; to facilitate and integrate the environment in the early stages of major development projects and to participate in regional development. As a river basin delegation, it coordinates water policy at the level of the Rhône-Mediterranean-Corsica River Basin, with particular emphasis on the implementation of the European Water Framework Directive and the ten-year programme for the hydraulic and ecological restoration of the Rhône. La Compagnie Nationale du Rhône (CNR). The French State gave this Société anonyme d’intérêt général (limited company of general interest) the mission of developing and exploiting the Rhône for electricity production, navigation and agriculture. To this end, the CNR has built 18 hydroelectric installations between Switzerland and the Mediterranean. The engineering activity of the CNR leads it to intervene in France and abroad to sell its expertise in fluvial development. Wishing to make a lasting contribution to the development of humankind and its environment the CNR also carries out many actions in favour of fluvial transport and the environment. For instance, in partnership with local authorities, it participates in the hydraulic and ecological restoration of the Rhône. The Région Rhône-Alpes, a local authority, created by the law of 2 mars1982, has little legal power to intervene in the Rhône basin (only power planning). However, it has a policy of commitment to the Rhône (within the scope of its territorial policy) and all of its tributaries (river contract). Les syndicats intercommunaux and Communautés de Communes ou d’agglomération. These intercommunal syndicates and Communities of Communes and urban communes implement the integrated management policy for the tributary river basins of the Rhône, and several intercommunal syndicates (Grand Lyon (Greater Lyon), Communauté de Commune du Val de Drôme) call on the ZABR to enhance their knowledge of the territory they administer and to evaluate the impact of their decisions. Le GRAIE, Groupe de Recherche Rhône Alpes sur les Infrastructures et l’Eau. The Rhône-Alpes Research Group on Infrastructure and Water is a non-profit organisation (conforming to a law passed in 1901 : association Loi 1901), which participates in the coordination of hydrological research and interfaces with operational actors. Other entities: The Centre national de la recherche scientifique (French National Centre for Scientific Research, CNRS).The CNRS is a public research institution which produces knowledge and puts this knowledge at the service of society. It is present in all the major disciplines, grouped within eight scientific departments and two national institutes : Communication and Information Science Technology, STIC), Engineering Sciences, SPI), Chemical Sciences, SC), Sciences of the Universe SDU), Life Sciences, SDV), Humanities and Social Sciences, SHS ) and Nuclear and Particle Physics, INSU. Le Conseil Supérieur de la Pêche (CSP).The Higher National Council of Fishing is a state public administration which ensures the protection of aquatic ecosystems; contributes to the knowledge of fish populations; provides technical support; carries out evaluations; trains managers and raises awareness among fishermen and women. Départements, local authorities which provide financial support for integrated management policies for rivers. Territoire Rhône is a decentralised water policy actor (public territorial institution of the basin) for the development and management of the river from Lac Léman to the Mediterranean. It is open to all communities concerned by the Rhône basin and intervenes in the areas of hydraulics, the environment and local development.
Statement of Issues, Purpose and Outputs Hydrological and Water Management issues: “river planning” issue Up until the early 19th century, the Rhône was a “free” river. The development carried out in the 19th century, essentially to improve navigational conditions and “regulate” its main channel, notably at the instigation of the engineer Girardon, resulted in to a reduction of the ‘weaving’ of the river and beginnings of a lowering of the alluvial groundwater following the sinking of the channel. Created in 1934, the Compagnie Nationale du Rhône (CNR) developed the river from the “triple point of view” of “energy – navigation – irrigation” The hydroelectric power produced by the 19 CNR power stations averages around 16 000 GWh per year (1 800 MW of average power), or a quarter of French hydroelectric production; pushed convoys carrying 5 000 tonnes sail up the waterway ; 34 000 hectares of land are irrigated. 20th century development, magnified by postwar reconstruction and industrial development, accentuated these phenomena leading to profound changes in the morphological and hydraulic characteristics of the Rhône, and the disappearance of natural environments of great interest between Lac Léman and the Mediterranean. In the 1970s, the Rhône was the site of the largest nuclear power stations for the production of electrical energy production (Bugey, Saint-Alban, Cruas,…). The main tributaries of the Rhône experienced similar economic development with 19th century navigation, the construction of a great number of reservoirs and hydroelectric power stations, notably in the Alps (Tignes-Malgovert on the Isère, Grand’Maison and le Sautet in the Drac basin, Serre-ponçon in the basin of the Durance, etc…). The tributaries of the southern part of the Basin have to meet the heavy demand for irrigation water, supply potable water to littoral towns (Marseille, Toulon), as well as ballast for the construction industry. “Watercourse rehabilitation” and “river health” issues The waterways of the Rhône basin, degraded because of intense economic constraints and devalued in the eyes of the basin population, are now experiencing a change in status. Scientific research carried out over the last 25 years or so has demonstrated the need to restore value to certain neglected functions: the role of plains in flood expansion; the need to protect groundwater in order to secure a sustainable supply of excellent quality potable water and to understand the biological reservoir role played by watercourses and their annexes?. A gradual desire for conservation and rehabilitation emerged over two decades, supported by actors from diverse spheres (community, scientists, environmental protection associations, fishing, government, local authorities, planners, etc.). In 1988, the growing awareness of the degradation of the Rhône led to the launch of a vast study programme under the initiative of the Rhône-Mediterranean-Corsica Basin Committee, coordinated by a working party charged with drawing up an operational synthesis of the state of health of the river. This assessment, originally focused on water quality recovery, progressively refined the issues, objectives and implementation strategy for the rehabilitation of the river. It underlined the need to be concerned not only about water quality (pollution control), but also pointed out that the restoration of this quality could only be meaningful if there was a simultaneous drive to restore the quality of the aquatic environment in the broadest sense of the word : hydraulic, biological, physical aspects, etc…. The “Rhône Action Plan” laid the foundation for the development of the SDAGE and the SAGE which have been implemented on a growing number of tributaries. « flooding » issue The alluvial valley of the Rhône is home to 556 000 inhabitants, spread over 310 communes and has a total (surface) area of 2450 km2. 28000 people are affected by average flooding (every 10 years ), 62 000 by serious flooding (approximately every 100 years), and 158 000 by a very serious flooding (approximately every 1000 years). Most of these people live in urban areas. Over 13000 firms, accounting for 100000 jobs, are situated in flood-prone areas. 103 000 hectares of farm land are exposed to the risk of flooding, of which 68 000 hectares are in the Rhône delta alone. Environmental issues: The Rhône basin has been the subject of the following policies:
Livelihoods issues: Until recently, water shortage was not an issue. However, a critical threshold was reached in certain sub-basins during the recent droughts. If the adverse effects of climate change were to coincide with localised increased pressure on withdrawals, then this question would become more acute. Policy and legislation issues: It is difficult to find the right framework for implementing a concerted policy for global river basin management. This is true within the framework of the SAGE which are implemented on a sub-basin level and for the integrated management of the Rhône itself. A single operator was granted the river concession in 1934 (the Cie Nationale du Rhône), but local authorities (regions, riparian départements) also wish to benefit from the “rente du Rhône” (profits earned from hydraulic electricity) and play a growing role in rehabilitation and development actions. How do the issues fit with the Five HELP Policy Issues? The problems of Integrated Water Resources Management in the Rhône basin fit with the following issues: Water and food: On a quantitative level, there is room for improvement in the dissemination of water saving techniques in the Midi, particularly in the casiers rizicoles (ricegrowing fields) of the Camargue delta. Water Quality and human Health: the Rhône basin like all French river basins must manage its agricultural intrants more efficiently to ensure a sustainable use for ground and aquatic water. The well-known diffusion of nitrates has harmful effects on water consumption in certain intensive farming regions. Poorly monitored pesticides endanger human health which needs to be better assessed. Water and Environment: Hydraulic developments on the Rhône and its tributaries have diverted a significant amount of flow to meet economic demand. Hundreds of kilometres of linearities have been permanently affected by the lowering of the groundwater and by the reduction of river flow. Policies have been implemented to mitigate their impacts. Water and Climate: Knowledge of hydrological extremes has become a major issue in the Rhône basin with the escalation of floods and drought combined with localised shortages leading to restrictions in consumption. Modelling of crisis forecasting scenarios has been used, especially in the area of energy. Water and Conflict: the Rhône basin is not currently facing any major conflicts related to run-of-the river withdrawals or from groundwater abstraction even if the situation is borderline in certain sectors. Emerging conflictual situations of conflict concern recreational and ecological uses versus traditional uses of an economic nature. Institutional change and capacity building issues: The 2000/60 Directive, establishing a framework for a community water policy, which was adopted on 23rd October 2000, represents a real challenge for all water actors. Aquatic environments must be in a good condition by 2015 unless technical or economic reasons justify this objective not being reached. The Directive advocates working at the catchment level and adhering to a fixed schedule:
This “countdown” comes with a requirement to include local actors in the process. Principal Purposes: The Rhône basin is a very good example of a large Western-European river basin whose water- courses have been subjected to intense pressure from uses for centuries because of its hydrological abundance. The impacts on the quality of the resource and on the ecology of the aquatic and riparian environments had reached an almost unbearable level by the early 1980s. The river courses, especially the Rhône, were the focus of interdisciplinary scientific research effort of considerable whose findings were very quickly integrated into the management thinking. It set in motion an innovative public policy from the early 1990s onwards, inspiring a great deal of French innovations in water management, in line with the spirit and the letter of the European regulatory initiatives. This policy is implemented by the Rhône-Mediteranean-Corsica Water Agency and by state services such as the DREN. Partner teams of scientists from ZABR develop innovative concepts and methods for the benefit of fluvial hydrosystems:
These methods can be transferred to other watercourses of the world provided they are adapted to local conditions. Taking account of the expectations of the population, systematically striving for dialogue with water managers and aquatic environment managers give concrete shape to the vital need to seek a better compromise for present and future generations between economic development and conservation of natural resources ; finding an equilibrium will ensure the sustainability of functions as well as uses. The Rhône basin proposes to put its experience at the service of other countries. Principal Outputs:
Statement of Proposed Activities Outline of the HELP programme design and plan:
Measurement and reporting of baseline conditions in the basin: The initial conditions are very well known because the RMC Water Agency conducted in-depth studies within the framework of setting up the SDAGE approved in 1995 (studies and atlas of basin). A set of hydrometric and water quality data is constantly monitored and updated. A further series of ad hoc studies is conducted at the request of managers and at the initiative of research establishments. In 2003, a very significant study was presented concerning hydrology, transport of solid matter, flood-prone areas and land uses in the Rhône valley. This study came after the floods in the Valley in 1993 and 1994 and was vindicated a posteriori by the high floods of 2000 and 2003. Stakeholder analysis, participation and consultation: See Scheme attached under “Documents”
Capacity building, training and education: The Rhône basin has considerable research and training capacity in (the area of) water-related professions. (Lyon, Dijon, Besançon, Chambéry, Grenoble, Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, Marseille), « Grandes écoles » (Ecole des mines de Saint-Etienne, INSA in Lyon), public research centres such as CEMAGREF. However, if the Rhône basin is given the HELP-UNESCO seal of approval, it would seem desirable to enhance the structure of the research-training offer and make it less dispersed and more operational. In addition, public institutions and local authorities possess a high level of expertise which can be mobilised on a case-by-case basis. Schedule of proposed activities: Year 1-2-3:
At the same time, seek ways to put this knowledge and these practices at the disposal of countries with river basins that have similar issues. Monitoring and evaluation: The ZABR is evaluated every 2 years by the CNRS, within the framework of renewing its seal of approval. In addition, it is assessed by a committee of scientific evaluation which comprises a representative from the various institutional partners of the ZABR, a manager from each member establishment of the ZABR and 6 outside experts from outside the ZABR.
Statement of Commitment Programme or project team members:
Supporting partners and stakeholders:
Provision of resources: The ZABR is supported by all of its partners cited above. The members of the ZABR also contribute towards supporting the ZABR. The budget below will allow the ZABR to mobilise within the framework of HELP. CREDITS 2004-2005 exclusive of VAT
Contribution to promoting HELP values For the last 25 years, the scientists of the ZABR have been contributing to the development of methods to help in the understanding of the mechanisms which govern fluvial hydrosystem functioning. They have a great deal of experience of dialogue with aquatic environment managers and are willing to make their skills and experience available for knowledge transfer in order to foster development and decision-making in sustainable water course management.
Key contacts for this project:
Pr Dr Jean-Paul BRAVARD Président de la ZABR IRG Université Lyon 2 et Institut Universitaire de France 5 avenue Pierre Mendès France 69276 Bron cedex France E-mail: jean-paul.bravard@univ-lyon2.fr / zabr@urgc-hu.insa-lyon.fr
Anne CLEMENS Responsable de l’animation de la ZABR Domaine scientifique de la Doua 66 boulevard Niels Bohr BP 2132 69 603 Villeurbanne cedex France E-mail: zabr@urgc-hu.insa-lyon.fr
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