Water Cycle
Model of different components of the water cycle showing naturally limited discharge during the winter months and additional stress caused by water abstraction for drinking water during times of peak tourist activity and artificial snow production. Infill of reservoirs storing water for artificial snow production takes place mainly in autumn and summer. Precipitation is based on an existing 60 year (from 1946 - 2006) and 5 year (from 2001 - 2006) average of Meteo France at Bourg St Maurice at 900 m above sea level. Note that autumn, winter and summer precipitation (with the exception of January and August) has decreased considerably over the last few years (on average by more than 20%). The resulting winter and summer discharge is also decreasing.
Image credit Carmen de Jong.