Artificial snowmaking - Water Conference in the Alps

Artificial snowmaking - Water Conference in the Alps

Water conference 2010, Venice
Artificial snowmaking:
economical, social and
environmental aspects.
Pierre Paccard
University of Savoy, Chambéry, France
[email protected]
Introduction
Water conference 2010, Venice
A current issue…
Artificial snowmaking
vs
sustainable water management?
Financially supported by:
Introduction
Water conference 2010, Venice
A current issue…
« Neige de culture :
Etat des lieux et impacts
environnementaux
Note socio-économique »
Council of Environment and Sustainable
Development (French Environment
Ministry), 2009
Introduction
Water conference 2010, Venice
Artificial snowmaking: for the bad winters.
L’Alpe d’Huez
(R. Knafou, 1990)
Les 7 Laux
(Le Dauphiné, 23 janv. 1964)
(Y. Dechaux, 2008)
Introduction
Water conference 2010, Venice
Plan of the presentation.
1. The development of artificial snow in the
economy of French winter tourism.
2. The possible impacts on water resources.
3. The question of the relevance of the
investments in the current context of climate
change.
Conclusion : examples of local experimental
initiatives for integrated water management
including artificial snow.
1. The development of artificial snow…
Water conference 2010, Venice
At the scale of the Alpine region.
Artificial snowmaking : % of the surface of ski runs
1. The development of artificial snow…
Water conference 2010, Venice
At the scale of the Alpine region.
Artificial snowmaking : % of the surface of ski runs
(data: SNTF, 2009)
1. The development of artificial snow…
Water conference 2010, Venice
At the scale of
France.
Artificial
snowmaking
surfaces
(data:
ODIT France,
2009)
1. The development of artificial snow…
Water conference 2010, Venice
At the scale of France.
Evolution of the number of equipped ski resorts
(data: ODIT France, 2009)
1. The development of artificial snow…
Water conference 2010, Venice
At the scale of a ski resort.
Ski runs with
snowmaking
facilities in
Courchevel
(Savoie)
2009
1984
1. The development of artificial snow…
Water conference 2010, Venice
At the scale of a ski resort.
(data: S3V / St-Bon)
Comparison between drinking water vs snowmaking in Courchevel
(data: S3V / St Bon)
2. The possible impacts on water resources.
Water conference 2010, Venice
Impacts on the small rivers.
janv. 2006
“Impacts on the environment:
Drying out of the river on linear 50 meters”
2. The possible impacts on water resources.
Water conference 2010, Venice
Hydrological regime
modification.
Ski runs with
snowmaking
facilities in
Orcières
(HautesAlpes)
2. The possible impacts on water resources.
6,4 km²
Water takings
Volumes (millions de m3)
Water conference 2010, Venice
Hydrological regime
modification.
2. The possible impacts on water resources.
Water restitutions (melting)
Volumes (millions de m3)
Water conference 2010, Venice
Hydrological regime
modification.
7,9 km²
2. The possible impacts on water resources.
Water conference 2010, Venice
Hydrological regime modification.
Orcières : Estaris lake
2. The possible impacts on water resources.
Water conference 2010, Venice
Water storage (reservoirs).
Artificial reservoir in Valmorel (Savoie)
2. The possible impacts on water resources.
Water conference 2010, Venice
Water storage
(reservoirs).
Artificial reservoirs
in the French Alps
3. Artificial snowmaking facilities in the context of climate change.
Water conference 2010, Venice
Global warming in the Alps: melting of the snow cover.
Orcières : +1,3 °C / 30 years
in winter
Villard : +1,4 °C / 30 years
in winter
3. Artificial snowmaking facilities in the context of climate change.
Water conference 2010, Venice
Relevance of equipments at medium altitude?
Evolution of the
snow cover in Villard
de-Lans, …
-110 cm
en 30 ans
3. Artificial snowmaking facilities in the context of climate change.
Water conference 2010, Venice
Relevance of equipments at medium altitude?
of the skilifts
turnover, …
Evolution of the
snow cover in Villard
de-Lans, …
3. Artificial snowmaking facilities in the context of climate change.
Water conference 2010, Venice
Relevance of equipments at medium altitude?
and of the
snow guns
number.
of the skilifts
turnover, …
Evolution of the
snow cover in Villard
de-Lans, …
Water conference 2010, Venice
3. Artificial snowmaking facilities in the context of climate change.
Snow cover vulnerability in
the ski resorts of Savoie and
Haute-Savoie.
Conclusion
Water conference 2010, Venice
Artificial snowmaking vs sustainable water management?
Model of tourism
development:
Yes, if…
Water management:
Direct the territorial
developments taking account
climate change.
Plan the water needs by
taking into account the limits
of the resource.
Artificial snowmaking:
Limit at most the possible impacts.
Conclusion
Water conference 2010, Venice
Local experimental initiatives for an integrated water management including
artificial snow: the water management plan of “Drac and Romanche”.
Water management plans
(SAGE) existing in the
French Alps
Plan of conciliation of
artificial snowmaking with
the other water users and
the environment
Water conference 2010, Venice
Je vous remercie de
votre attention…