Hydroelectric dam releases on the middle Verdon: EDF's forecasts.

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You will find below the dam release forecasts for the Middle Verdon transmitted by EDF.

We are updating this table as and when EDF's forecasts are issued:

– the day before at 5:00 PM for the following weekday (Sunday evening to Thursday evening).,
– Friday at 5:00 PM for the following Saturday and Sunday.

Any use of this information other than to participate in ABOARD Rafting activities is at your own risk.

For general information on the Verdon dams and reservoirs, consult the EDF website for the Verdon dams.

Day Flow rate Activities offered
Monday Water release
You
Minimum flow rate		 Rafting, Cano-raft, Air-boat, Hydrospeed
You
Aqua-rando
Tuesday Water release
You
Minimum flow rate		 Rafting, Cano-raft, Air-boat, Hydrospeed
You
Aqua-rando
Wednesday Water release
You
Minimum flow rate		 Rafting, Cano-raft, Air-boat, Hydrospeed
You
Aqua-rando
Thursday Water release
You
Minimum flow rate		 Rafting, Cano-raft, Air-boat, Hydrospeed
You
Aqua-rando
Friday Water release
You
Minimum flow rate		 Rafting, Cano-raft, Air-boat, Hydrospeed
You
Aqua-rando
Saturday Water release
You
Minimum flow rate		 Rafting, Cano-raft, Air-boat, Hydrospeed
You
Aqua-rando
Sunday Water release
You
Minimum flow rate		 Rafting, Cano-raft, Air-boat, Hydrospeed
You
Aqua-rando

Upper Verdon (above the dam)

  • Natural flow (snowmelt + rainfall).
  • Navigable only in spring (April to mid-June).
  • In summer (July-August), flow too weak → not navigable.

Moyen Verdon (below the dam)

  • July-August: navigable only when water is released from the dam, generally Tuesdays and Fridays.

Spring and September

  • EDF communicates its planned water release forecasts the day before at 5:00 PM and on Friday evening for the weekend.

Days without letting go

  • Ideal for exploring the gorges in a different way thanks to our routes of’aqua-rando (swimming + floating). 

Canyoning: Canyons open for use at the moment

All activities in the Gorges du Verdon - canyoning

During the canyoning season, we keep you informed of the canyons that are accessible.

Below is a summary of canyons that can be navigated based on their water flow and other constraints (access to St-Auban is only permitted on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays according to prefectural regulations, etc).

Date Jabron Discovery Half-day Saint-Auban Riolan's Day Day La Lance
Saturday Practicable Access forbidden Practicable Practicable
Sunday Practicable Practicable Practicable Practicable
Monday Practicable Practicable Practicable Practicable
Tuesday Practicable Access forbidden Practicable Practicable
Wednesday Practicable Practicable Practicable Practicable
Thursday Practicable Access forbidden Practicable Practicable
Friday Practicable Practicable Practicable Practicable
Saturday Practicable Access forbidden Practicable Practicable
Sunday Practicable Practicable Practicable Practicable
Monday Practicable Access forbidden Practicable Practicable
Water activities in the Verdon Practice periods Our routes and prices
Verdon Gorge Rafting April to October Rafting Trail
Canyoning Verdon April to September Canyoning Route
Random water Mid-June to early September Aqua hiking trail
Hydrospeed April to October Hydrospeed Course
Canoeing April to October Canoe Raft Course
Airboat April to October Airboat Tour
Verdon Tree Trekking April to September Adventure course
Subject to weather conditions and water release from the Verdon

Classification of Rapids

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River rapids are classified according to their technical difficulty, established during normal flow. This difficulty can vary depending on the river's flow rate. The following classification was established by the decree of 4 May 1995 from the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Class I = easy:

Regular course, regular waves, small eddies, simple obstacles.

 

Class II = moderately difficult:

(Open passage) irregular currents, irregular waves, moderate eddies, weak swirls and rapids, simple obstacles in the current, small thresholds.

Class III = difficult:

high irregular waves, large eddies, whirlpools and rapids. Rock outcrop, small waterfalls, various obstacles in the current.

Year 4 = Very difficult

(passage not visible in advance, scouting generally required) large, continuous waves, powerful and fast rollers. Rocks obstructing the current, higher drops with re-circulations.

Class V = extremely difficult

(inevitable reconnaissance) waves, eddies, extremely rapid. Narrow passages, very high drops with difficult entrances and exits.

Class VI = Limit of navigability:

(Generally impossible) possibly navigable depending on water levels. Great risks.