When the Water Runs Dry

Image : Photographie du barrage du Seujet à Genève (Guilhem Vellut via Flickr)

Why France is freaking out over a tiny Swiss dam

This article presents different viewpoints on the ongoing negotiations of the Rhone’s water flow. Prof. Christian Bréthaut and doctoral researcher Cyrille Vallet are among those interviewed. France is pushing for a transboundary agreement regarding the outflow from Lake Léman. Switzerland is not willing to sign such an agreement, citing its long-standing practice of opening the gates of its dam when requested by its neighbour. This issue raises a host of technical and political questions including those related to water quality, nuclear plants, hydroelectricity, sovereignty, irrigation, among others.

Published on Politico on May 10, 2024 and available online (in English) here.