The Lavalette dam in Lapte, Haute-Loire, is undergoing a major renovation to ensure its continued operation and safety. The dam, built in 1910, is a vital source of drinking water for the Saint-Étienne metropolitan area, supplying around 430,000 people. It is located on the Lignon du Velay river and can store up to 41 million cubic meters of water. The project involves nearly 10 million euros in investment and will continue until January 2027, focusing on upgrading the flood discharge system, which is crucial for managing water levels and preventing potential disasters. The flood discharge system consists of four valves. Three of these, installed in 1950, are being replaced after signs of aging and cracks were discovered. The fourth, installed in 1994, is undergoing renovation. The work also includes updating the technical facilities of the dam’s piers and access points for the valves, along with localized repairs. These upgrades aim to improve the dam’s safety and reliability. The project is being supervised by state services under a prefectural decree, following a revised risk assessment for the dam. To ensure safety during the renovation, several valves have been kept in specific positions since January 2024. This allows the reservoir to maintain its operational capacity while the work progresses. The interventions are being carried out one valve at a time, which helps keep the dam functional throughout the process. Each valve can release up to 500 cubic meters of water per second, and together, the four valves can discharge up to 2,000 cubic meters per second. To facilitate the work, the water level in the reservoir has been lowered by about 10 meters below the valves. The renovation is being carried out by the consortium Legendre Génie Civil and Idroweld, with a contract valued at 8.74 million euros, excluding taxes. Additional costs are expected for other operations related to the project. The work takes place amid concerns about water availability, as the reservoir held about 12 million cubic meters of water in the autumn of 2026—less than a third of its maximum capacity—due to a period of reduced rainfall. This underscores the importance of maintaining the dam's functionality and resilience in the face of environmental challenges.