“France’s arteries,” someone once called them. The Vieux Rhone is a story of adaptation and change. It highlights human impact on nature. We’re standing at a location deeply intertwined with Lyon’s history. It is a story etched in water and time.
The Vieux Rhone refers to sections of the Rhone River. These sections were bypassed by hydroelectric projects. These projects occurred in France during the 20th century. These waterways are generally downstream of 19 dams. The dams operate between Lake Geneva and the Mediterranean.
These changes impact the Vieux Rhone significantly. Artificial canals divert much of the natural flow. They leave a relatively small reserved flow for the original riverbed. For example, the flow is 10 to 20 m3/s for a module of 1,000 m3/s. Only during major floods does the Vieux Rhone regain significant flow. This happens when the facilities discharge into the historic riverbed. This helps manage the floodwaters.
This altered hydrological regime has dried out riparian environments. It has changed biodiversity. This affects flora, alluvial habitats and fish. The changes in flow and sediment transport alter the river’s morphodynamics.
Restoration efforts have been undertaken. A ten-year program from 1998 to 2009 aimed to restore the Rhone. This included ecological rehabilitation work on the Vieux Rhone.
You can find sections of the Vieux Rhone in various locations. Examples include Chautagne and opposite the Donzere-Mondragon canal. Another example is the Vieux Rhone in Miribel-Jonage. The total length of these sections is about 150 km.
The Rhone River meets the Saone River in Lyon. Lyon has been a major city since Roman times. Its history is reflected in Roman traces and medieval architecture. Lyon stands as France’s third-largest metropolis. It is a center for banking and other industries.
The Vieux Rhone is a reminder of the industrial changes. It shows us that Lyon has adapted over the centuries. This waterway played a role in the region’s story. It connects the past with the present.