Watercourse
Monthly discharge
Average flow rate during a month: it is most often obtained by adding the average daily rates of the month and by dividing the result by the number of days in the month.
Useful flood flow
Critical low flow
Low flow value below which the supply of drinking water for essential needs for human and animal life, and for the survival of the species found in the environment, are endangered. At this low-flow level, all possible measures to restrict consumption and
Warning level (or threshold) flow
"Threshold" value of the flow that triggers the first restrictions for some activities. These measures are taken at the initiative of the prefectural authority in connection with a crisis cell and in accordance with a crisis plan. Below this threshold, one of the functions (or activities) is compromised. To partially restore this function, it is necessary to limit temporarily another: withdrawal or discharge (first restriction measures)…
Low water flow
Reference or basic low water flow
Legal reference flow, defined as the monthly low-flow recurring every five years (or frequency of 1/5, i.e. occurring one year in five), known by the acronym QMNA 5 (frequency 1/5).
Annual flow
Assigned flow
According to the Water Act of 1992, "when hydraulic development works, other than those conceded or authorized and intended or resulting in the regulation of the flow of a non-State owned watercourse or for increasing its flow during low-flow periods, all or part of the artificial