Arzal lock works (Atlantic France)

[Roberto]

Hello,
in case anyone keeps a boat at Arzal, la roche Bernard, etc, or is planning to.
Some big renewal works have just been announced for the lock and related structures: preliminary plans imply the lock will be kept closed during two 4-to-5 month periods in the winters of two following years; they have not decided yet if it will be winters 24/25 + 25/26, or winters 25/26+26/27.
No more details right now, will post if I find any.

 

[Poignard]

Hello,
in case anyone keeps a boat at Arzal, la roche Bernard, etc, or is planning to.
Some big renewal works have just been announced for the lock and related structures: preliminary plans imply the lock will be kept closed during two 4-to-5 month periods in the winters of two following years; they have not decided yet if it will be winters 24/25 + 25/26, or winters 25/26+26/27.
No more details right now, will post if I find any.

Thanks for that, Roberto. I keep my boat on the Vilaine but I had not heard about those dates.

 

[Bobc]

First I've heard of it, but thanks for the heads-up

 

[Roberto]

Embouchure de la Vilaine : 12 M€ de travaux à venir sur le barrage d’Arzal d’ici trois ans [En images]

French friends keep their boat there, the marinas do not know anything in detail so they took the information directly from "Eaux et Vilaine" company.
Interestingly, apart from general maintenance, the aim is to create a system to reduce the salinity increase of the uplock waters with each lock maneuver to help the fresh water treatment plant. Apparently, lock transit times will increase a bit, but it will be possible to use them even during lower river outlet.

 

[Bobc]

They did some work last winter in an attempt to do this, so I guess they've decided they need to do more.

 

[Roberto]

A video describing how this anti-salinity lock will function

 

[Roberto]

Old thread, different subject
The Vilaine river is partially flooding; at around high water they cannot open the gates as salt water would damage the water treatment plant, as a result the water level in the various marinas Arzal La Roche Bernard Folleux etc has occasionally risen to worrying levels, on the internet there are pictures of floating pontoons arriving 10cm short of the end of the metal pilings they are connected to. Boat movements in the river have been forbidden.
There is a public FB group with some pictures
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By reading the comments, people seem to be especially concerned by next Saturday/Sunday tides.