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Dried Montbel Lake Due To An Unprecented Drougth

A paddleboat lies in the mud of the Montbel's lakebed due to low waters. The Montbel resevoir in the Ariege and Aude departments is well below its normal level due to an unprecedented drought for more than one year. It usually contains 60 millions of cubic meters of fresh water. It was built in 1985 to receive fresh water from the Pyrenees mountains and is meters under its usual levels. The water is normally used for irrigation. Due to the drought, the water is now used to maintain the low water levels in the Ariege and Garonne rivers. One can easily walk on the lakebed and some plants now grow where water was before the drought. In July, rain was 88% less abundant than normal and water restrictions are in place all over France. Montbel. Ariege. France. August 18th 2023. (Photo by Alain Pitton/NurPhoto)

Photo ID	#10383062
Date Taken	11 August 2023
Location	N/A
Photographer	Alain Pitton/NurPhoto
Category	Environmental Issue
Copyright	© 2026 NurPhoto - Alain Pitton/NurPhoto

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