The inhabitants and professionals of the Champsaur valley must therefore be content with the remaining quarter, which this year promises to be even lower than usual. The diversion dates back to the 19th century, at a time when Gap and its outskirts did not have as many water needs.
Among the thirty or so farmers in the valley, Jean-Yves shows us how difficult it is to irrigate the crops. He waits until 7 p.m. to start watering, thus limiting water evaporation, and has had to give up tending several plots. “We are very concerned that in two weeks there will be no more water”he explains, “there the watering will stop and it will be quite catastrophic for all the crops”.
