Record Wet February Triggers 'Exceptional' Groundwater Recharge Across France, BRGM Reports

Overview

• Météo‑France reports February was the wettest since 1959, with a succession of storms saturating soils.
• BRGM’s March 1 bulletin notes an active recharge, with 84% of monitored groundwater levels rising versus 56% in January.
• About three‑quarters of France now shows an excédentaire groundwater status, with a few northeastern aquifers still moderately low but improving.
• The heavy rains also produced river overflows and significant flooding, particularly in western regions.
• BRGM is cautiously optimistic for reactive aquifers over the next quarter, while infiltration into inertial aquifers continues and projections for summer 2026 remain uncertain.