Angers' Seuil en Maine dam reopens after cable replacement

A cable on the fourth gate of the Seuil en Maine dam in Angers broke on July 23 2026, causing the river's water level to drop about 1.2 m and prompting a navigation ban. The Maine‑et‑Loire department coordinated the repair, with the SAUR and La Verchéenne companies and professional divers from Ferro Services installing a new cable on July 28 2026. Once the cable was in place, the gate could be lifted, raising the water level by roughly 25 cm by late afternoon and beginning a gradual return to normal levels.

The department indicated that the river should regain its usual level within a few days, provided favorable hydrological conditions, but navigation will remain prohibited in the affected sections until the water level is fully restored.