Following a September marked by very low precipitation, October 2026 shows a contrasting situation between the upstream and downstream parts of the Agly river basin. Precipitation was significantly higher in the downstream section, leading to an increase in flows in several upstream Agly sectors, although the situation remains degraded, particularly on the Boulzane, where flows are still low.
On the Désix, the flow at its confluence with the Agly is now above the minimum biological flow and the management objective flow set for October. Flows on the Verdouble remain generally stable. On the lower Agly, active dam management continues to limit the reservoir's drawdown. The outflow from the dam has been progressively reduced, leading to a decrease in flows in the downstream sector, where some flow interruptions are now observed.
Average maximum temperatures recorded in October reached 21.2 °C in Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet and 22.6 °C in Perpignan-Rivesaltes, values above seasonal norms. The Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet station recorded a monthly total of 38.2 mm of precipitation, while Perpignan-Rivesaltes recorded 105.1 mm, much of it between October 3rd and 7th.
In the Boulzane sub-basin, a slight improvement is noted at the confluence with the Agly, confirming the recovery from the mid-September flow interruption. However, flow remains low. The minimum biological flow set for October is 130 l/s.
Regarding the Désix, measurements at the confluence with the Agly show an increase in flow, reaching about four times the value from late September. The flow now exceeds both the management objective and the minimum biological flow, both set at 40 l/s for October.
On the upper Agly, the flow measured downstream of the Tirounère source is 233 l/s, a stabilization compared to the previous measurement. A more representative flow estimate, obtained by gauging, is around 288 l/s, slightly below the minimum biological flow of 290 l/s set for October.
In the Verdouble sub-basin, flows remain stable upstream and are increasing downstream. At Tautavel, the recorded flow is above the management objective of 110 l/s.
On the lower Agly, the reduced outflow from the dam, lowered from 1,300 l/s to 750 l/s on October 23rd, results in alternating sections of flowing water and dry riverbeds. A flow interruption has been observed at the Agly station in Mas de Jau since October 24th.
Current weather models do not predict precipitation in the coming days. Useful links for monitoring hydrological resources and restrictions are available on VigiEau, ODAQUI, SMNPR, and En quête d’eau.
