Auphelle

France Lake 1 - Excellent

Lake Vassivière is a reservoir situated on the granitic Millevaches plateau at the border between Haute-Vienne and Creuse departments. Five contiguous beaches around the lake are managed under a single bathing profile. The watershed covers approximately 75 km² with an elevation range from 650 m at the lake to 873 m at nearby peaks. The lake experiences seasonal level variations due to hydroelectric use, with normal elevation at 650 NGF and summer levels between 647.5 and 650 NGF.

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Water

An artificial lake (retenue) with a surface area of approximately 75 km² in its watershed. Normal water level is 650 NGF. The lake is fed by approximately ten tributaries, with the Maulde being the principal inflow. Summer outflow from the lake via the Maulde river is approximately 2.4 m³/s. Outflow through the dam by EDF is 53 l/s.

Location

Located at the southern boundary between the departments of Haute-Vienne (87) and Creuse (23), extending across the communes of Royère-de-Vassivière, Beaumont-du-Lac, Faux la Montagne, Gentioux-Pigerolles, and Peyrat-le-Château.

Facilities

Five monitored beaches with surveillance points located within bathing zones. Five public boat launching sites distributed around the perimeter. Five public transport embarkaderes. Two boat drainage areas for camper vans at Pierrefitte and Auphelle. Approximately 500 mooring places available.

Water Quality

The Maulde river has a quality objective of 1A (excellent quality) upstream and 1B (good quality) downstream at Lake Vassivière. Bacteriological analyses of five beaches were conducted from 2007 to 2010. No direct discharges from the collective sewerage network were observed, though modernization of collection and treatment works at four treatment stations is planned.

Risks

Cyanobacteria occurrences are documented. The sewerage network is aging and susceptible to domestic wastewater releases, particularly during peak summer season when population increases from 2700 to 12000 inhabitants. Storm activity averages 24 days per year. Navigation is restricted to 20 km/h with a 50 m exclusion zone.