The Canal and the water

From its design to its operation, the Seine-Nord Europe Canal protects water resources and manages them responsibly. Adapted and resilient to the effects of climate change, it is a sustainable addition to the Hauts-de-France region and is in harmony with other water uses in the area (drinking water, nature, agriculture, industry).

Preservation of groundwater

The Seine-Nord Europe Canal will be supplied by the Oise River , whose flow is sufficient more than 90% of the time, and will not draw any water from groundwater . During periods of low Oise flow, particularly in summer or during droughts, the canal will be supplied by the Louette reservoir located in the Somme department, near Péronne. The Oise River, its flow, and its water quality will thus be preserved, and the canal will not impact the region's water needs.

A water-efficient Canal

Highly effective sealing of its basin (the bottom and sides of the canal) will significantly limit water loss due to seepage. The locks between Noyon and Oisy-le-Verger will allow for the complete recycling of water used by passing boats. The canal's water consumption will thus be greatly reduced.

Solutions to protect and manage the territory's waterways

Thanks to its carefully designed hydraulic structures, the Seine-Nord Europe Canal is designed to ensure the continuity of the waterways and other flows it will intercept. It is not a flood control structure, but it will help to locally reduce the intensity of flooding , exacerbated by climate change. In the Oise Valley, for example, a spillway located at Montmacq will lower the level of the Oise River by several tens of centimeters during floods.