Garonne, Seine, Loire… the heatwave also affects rivers and fish

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Water, an essential and threatened resource file

At the start of summer, river flow is so low that water releases have begun, and the temperature of rivers and streams is rising alarmingly. Fish mortality, disruption to river traffic, nuclear power plants idling, the growth of toxic bacteria... "Libé" reviews the consequences of this phenomenon.

"At the beginning of July, the Garonne reached a record water temperature for the period: 28 degrees in Toulouse," notes Franck Solacroup, director general of services for the Garonne, Gascony and Pyrenean Tributaries public institution. (Antoine Lorgnier/Only France. AFP)