Drôme River has Gone!

This day of August 2009 was a shock : I had never seen the river Drôme in this state! Few days before I heard on a local radio that the river flow was at zero level. So I decided to go there and check by myself. I had a really strange feeling walking on those white stones heated by the Sun. The media always talk about global warming throughout the year, although this view is evidence that water will be a critical issue in the 21st Century, not only in southern countries but also here under the 45th parallel!

This panorama was shot about 1.5 km (1 mile) from its confluence with the Rhône river and close to the A7 highway, one of the main axis roads that links the Northern to Southern Europe.

I learned later that a pumping unit was set up not far from here in order to provide water to the tree crops of the area. To combine with many weeks without any rainfall and voilà the result.

You can see that same river 3 months later on this high definition panorama taken from a higher point near the confluence with the Rhone river.

More panoramas from this dry river at this page. (French only)

Europe / France

Lat: 44° 46' 5.41" N
Long: 4° 47' 33.83" E

→ maps.google.com [EXT]

Precision is: Unknown / Undeclared.

Nikon D90, Sigma 8mm f4, monopod Photoshop, PTgui