CENARI-O

Global changes will have a lasting influence on the water cycle. The understanding of these impacts require a detailed knowledge of the water cycle, and particularly of the exchanges at the hydraulic interface between groundwaters and rivers, which are essential in the regulation of river flows. The realization of an estimation of these exchanges – on the scale of the river section – will make it possible to characterize these fluxes at contrasted periods and to bring an essential knowledge for the water managers. The project proposes an innovative multi-criteria approach by coupling different characterization methods. The development of an information system will allow the visualization of these fluxes from the surface water to the groundwaters, or vice versa, according to the period of the year. The experimental area corresponds to the Orleans valley, and in particular the Loiret River, whose water quality is deteriorating. It will provide information which, if taken into account, will allow a better resilience of the territories, by benefiting from the exchanges between groundwaters and rivers.