IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT RE: CANAL DU MIDI NAVIGATION
The VNF DTSO held another meeting on Friday 24th October reporting on the worsening conditions on the Canal du Midi.I’m waiting for the meeting support slides which I’ll post as soon as they arrive however given the worsening conditions I’ve summarised the following key points:
Canal de Garonne:The situation remains tense but no restrictions are currently anticipated.
Canal du Midi:Dam reserves at Lampy & St Ferreol are at 21%Dam reserves at Cammazes currently 12% of the theoretical maximum down from 17% on 14th Oct.The state of the reserves is very worrying.
NB: Remember that 85% of the water flowing through the Canal du Midi comes from river extractions.
Deeper Discussions Regarding Low Season Measures:
Risks weighing on the low season are confirmed due to the depletion of reserves in mid – late November should the drought persist.It is inconceivable to be able to maintain canal uses without further restrictions given the high level of risk reaching a level which would imply a complete or almost complete end of supply to the infrastructure.Confirming the need to take further measures to restricting navigation in the low season.Careful management is needed to manage the reserves to maintain the infrastructure. Navigation on Demand SEVERELY RESTRICTED from 3rd November.If the situation requires it, complete closure (depending on the areas) Everything is conditional on:Ø The possibility of resuming a supply without or with fewer suppliments for the downstream sector (Villedubert extraction).Ø The filling of the Black Mountain reserves (from rainfall).
Very Strict Exemptions:
Ø Technical requirements (slipways, dry docks or shipyard reservations)
Ø Travel to mooring pounds due to chomage works (according to the VNF defined list)
Ø Travel for infrastructure maintenance work
Ø Emergency vessels ·
Anticipate essential travel as much as possible BEFORE 3/11 (technical: slipways, dry docks etc)·
Regular information on the situation & the risks of total closure / possible improvements to be made.
Details of the ON-DEMAND navigation Procedure:
Ø Submit requests to the regional service office at your departure point no later than Friday 12.00 pm · Noon This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.· Toulouse Haute-Garonne This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.· Specify: Date, time, place of departure & destination, name of skipper, boat name, phone number, email address & reason for travel with supporting documents if necessary.
Ø Organisation of a ‘passage commission’ made every Friday at 15h by VNF to decide on requests and in particular the reasons for travel.
Ø Information of Fridays from 15h30 – 16h30 for users on the response to their request
Ø VNF coordinates departures according to the stated routes in order to optimize the impact on water resources.
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