Water, a resource and an environment to be preserved
Water is omnipresent in Périgord-Limousin. First foothills of the Massif Central, rainfall is significant. Sitting partly on impermeable crystalline rocks, water is found everywhere on the surface: wetlands, springs, streams... It greens the meadow landscapes to the delight of the eyes.
Located at the head of three large watersheds, the territory has a particular responsibility
The Périgord-Limousin Regional Natural Park is located at the birth of three watersheds, that of the Charente, that of the Dronne and the Isle, and that of the tributaries of the Vienne. The water from the park then flows to the surrounding areas which benefit from this resource and make use of it. This situation implies a particular responsibility with regard to the qualitative and quantitative management of water resources.
The territory has numerous wetlands and waterways. These environments are remarkable for their abundance, their diversity, their richness of fauna and flora. These complex ecosystems play a role in the quality of water resources. Their proper functioning is necessary to sustain the drinking water supply, agricultural activities, but also leisure practices (fishing, swimming, etc.).
This water resource is fragile. Several threats weigh on it:
- la presence of thousands of artificial ponds which alters the morphology of watercourses and which, by heating the water, leads to overevaporation;
- le development of cyanobacteria which compromises the sanitary quality of water for swimming or drinking;
- la regression of wetlands which leads to a general deterioration in the physicochemical quality of water and a quantitative reduction in the resource during low water periods.
These threats can be contained by restoring the natural water cycle in the region.
Improving water quality at the scale of the three watershed heads
Water is an important theme in the territory of the Périgord-Limousin Regional Natural Park. The preservation of water resources contributes to a good water supply, locally and beyond the borders of the park, but also to the attractiveness and landscape quality of the territory.
Improving water quality is one of the axes of the charter which drives the park's missions.
See the park charterGuarantee the continuity of watercourses
Several park missions aim to restore the hydrographic network to its natural flow. A healthy and dynamic network helps prevent the proliferation of cyanobacteria and the clogging of certain waterways. This also benefits the diversity of the fauna and flora of the watercourse and its banks, by consolidating the blue network.
Preserving water resources
Wetlands play both a buffer and reserve role. They thus allow better regulation of watercourses throughout the seasons. Knowledge of its wetlands, the sharing of good practices with public and private managers and the preservation of these environments are part of the park's missions.
I am a wetland owner. I wonder where exactly they are and how I should deal with them?
You must contact the Technical Assistance Unit for Wetland Ponds (CATZHE) of the park. A meeting will be organized in the field to carry out a diagnosis and an assessment of your land in search of wet areas. CATZHE will help you find the best management of your wetlands that corresponds to your context.
Maintaining wetlandsI am elected from a municipality. What projects can I have for the wetlands in my municipality?
I can :
- Protect the wetlands of my municipality in my town planning document. A report on existing wetlands will be carried out by the PNR and sometimes supplemented by a field diagnosis.
- Acquire a wetland. CATZHE supports municipalities in the acquisition of wetlands for preservation purposes. These acquisitions can be financed up to 80%.
- Managing a wetland: Municipalities managing or owning wetlands can benefit from CATZHE activities and experiences. It produces a management notice which identifies the type of wetlands, their environmental issues and the management measures to be implemented to preserve them.
- Enhance a wetland: CATZHE supports communities in their wetland enhancement project.
Actions for water quality
The Périgord-Limousin Regional Natural Park plays a role in initiating, piloting or coordinating several actions, in collaboration with numerous partners. These actions aim to improve the continuity of watercourses and to amplify the dynamics of concerted management in the different watersheds.