The hydrological situation in the Doubs department in eastern France is worsening, despite recent rains and cooler temperatures, according to local officials. September was described as "particularly dry and hot" by the regional prefecture, leading to river flow rates that are now lower than during several historical droughts. The Haut-Doubs area is under close monitoring due to significant drops in water resources and growing concerns over water supply in various parts of the region. To help maintain reserves, the Saint-Point lake is being used as a strategic water storage site. In response to the growing crisis, the prefect of the Doubs, Rémi Bastille, held a meeting on Tuesday, October 6, with key stakeholders in the Pontarlier area. Attendees included government agencies, local communities, and water management organizations such as the Haut-Doubs Haute-Loue public establishment for land development and water management (EPAGE). The meeting aimed to prepare for a potential worsening of the water supply situation and to explore solutions to avoid possible water shortages. One immediate action being taken is the partial closure of the valve at the Saint-Point dam. This move aims to retain more water in the lake, which is crucial for securing the drinking water supply for the region. However, this will reduce the flow of the Doubs River downstream. To lessen the impact on fish populations, a safeguard fishing operation is being carried out by the departmental federation of fishing and aquatic environment protection of the Doubs on Wednesday, October 7, and Thursday, October 8. Despite these efforts, authorities warn that the water stored in the lake may not be enough to prevent further deterioration of the situation, especially with current weather forecasts. Officials are urging residents to continue conserving water and are preparing to map out priority water uses in case of a potential drinking water interruption. The prefecture emphasizes that water conservation is a shared responsibility to ensure the continued availability of water resources. The Doubs department remains in a drought crisis, with the continued decline in water resources in the Haut-Doubs area requiring careful planning for a scenario where reserves may no longer be sufficient.