Les chasses franco-suisses sur le Haut-Rhône. Réflexions sur les opérations de 1987

Upper Rhône flushes. Remarks on the activities of 1987

Compagnie nationale du Rhône

Abstract

Flushes carried out once every three years on the Swiss part of the Rhone river are aimed at the removal of sediment deposits brought by the Arve river into the Verbois reservoir. On the French upper Rhone, the transit of the resulting suspended load is to be secured in the best conditions possible as regards their effect on the natural environment and riparian inhabitants. The Compagnie Nationale du Rhône monitors, the sediment flows from the outlets of the Genissiat dam which is the first French scheme downstream from the border. Flushes of June 1987 were carried out in periods of significant flows. They made up an interesting experience for the knowledge of the turbidity current through the Genissiat dam bottom outlet. They also permitted to verify the effectiveness of the operation rules set up in accordance with the instructions of the Rhone-Alpes Authorities Technical water committee.