Once upon a time, I learned that “March Winds and April Showers Bring May Flowers.” In France, that verse should begin “February Floods…”
As the new month began, the water began rising – flooding at least one street and some of our favourite walking routes.
The major consequence in the Port de Plaisance is it is now impossible to reach some of the boats moored here. (Unless you have a boat you can use to reach them.)
Grey clouds bringing more rain – and raising the water level on the Saône even higher. The H2O flag and the blue and white CEVNI sign are the only clues that this was the paved pathway to many of the boats moored on southern pontoons. Pete, the Capitaine of the marina knew this could happen. Only boats moored for the winter with no one onboard are moored at that end. They are all fine – as is every boat tied up in the marina. In fact, looking out from Aleau everything looks perfectly normal – except the marina has now become part of the Saône – or vice-versa. The land that separated the Port de Plaisance from the river is now under water. The Saône appears to be twice as wide as it was a week ago.
A Google Maps aerial view of the marina. With the “Quai de Saône” pathway now under water, there is no way to reach the two southern pontoons. The two northern pontoons (where Aleau is moored) are connected to a parking lot via a gangway. Us “liveaboards” have no problem heading for land.
That gangway is a little easier to climb now. In the summer, it was a bit steep. Now, it’s almost flat.
What makes it possible to almost ignore the rising water is the fact we are moored not to a concrete dock (which would cause serious problems) but to floating pontoons. They ride up and down large steel tubes. The water levels are marked on the tubes.
The shot above was taken in September; the shot below, in early February. You can see how much the water has risen.
While all is well in the marina, we have had to make a few adjustments. Below is one of our favourite walking routes. The lamp poles show where the path lies. We will need to take a detour until the water level drops.
When the water level rises, it becomes dangerous to be on the river. This cruiser had to take shelter in the marina. The Spanish couple onboard had just bought it in the Netherlands and were on their way home to Barcelona when the flow on the Saône became too fast. They’ve been here a week and will have to stay until it’s safe (and legal) to be back out on the water. They’re plugged into shore power and drinking water – and are close to the gangway. They’re facing a delay but no real hardship. They were lucky to find a safe harbour.
Last summer, many canals had to close due to a lack of water. Let’s hope the high levels we’re experiencing now will keep the canals open this summer. Fingers crossed.