Doubs Department, France Repeatedly Hits Severe Drought Crisis

A citizen‑science initiative called Eau & Climat, supported by the Rhône Méditerranée Corse Water Agency, is recruiting volunteers and schools to monitor river levels and precipitation across the region via an online platform. Participants use simple limnimetric scales and rain gauges, with data feeding local decision‑makers on water management.

In parallel, the Doubs department has experienced a surge in extreme drought conditions. Government drought alerts, ranging from vigilance to crisis, have been triggered five times since 2013, with the highest "crise sécheresse" level reached four times in the last six years (2020, 2022, 2023, 2026). During crisis periods, water extractions from the network are largely prohibited, prompting severe restrictions on irrigation and other uses. Over the 2013‑2025 span, the department endured more than two years of cumulative drought‑related restrictions, highlighting a trend toward earlier and more frequent emergency measures.