Water levels

I've been driving along the Ouche valley almost every day for the last few months, there are many pounds between the locks which are empty of water. Some of the locks are being repaired, which is a valid reason for emptying the water, but I'm surprised to see other stretches which have been empty for weeks, apparently for no reason.
I've walked around the reservoir of Chazilly which is extremely low (even if it is never filled to more than 2/3).
Also, it has not rained very much over the past 3 months. There was a bit of snow at Christmas and the New Year. The snow fall has always been an important factor in filling the reservoirs and increasing the water in the rivers, which is then transferred into the canal.
So at the moment I'm quite pessimistic about the duration of the 2006 cruising season.

First of all, low rain fall this winter.
Secondly, the reservoirs are low.
Thirdly many empty canal sections which have to be filled before the season opens.
For this to change, during February and March it will have to really rain...

So get ready to change your cruise program for early September 2006, the section Dijon to Saint Jean and Tonerre to Laroche will probably remain open, but I think you'll be doing some river cruising.