Fonserannes Water Slope, Pente d'eau Beziers, Canal Du Midi, France

PK (Point Kilométrique): 206.515

Year of Construction: 1980-1983

Bike path side: NA

In 1973, the world’s first water slope was inaugurated at Montech on the Canal de Garonne. Later, the decision was made to extend a number of locks on the Canal du Midi to “Freycinet” gauge (allowing for boats up to 38.50 metres to use the canal). Following several years of satisfactory operation at Montech, it was decided to build a second water slope, using improved technology, on the site of Fonserannes to bypass the staircase locks.  The building work began in 1980 and the inauguration was made in 1983.  The machine took only 6 minutes to raise or lower a boat.

​

The water slope pushes a large quantity of water up a slope.

Accident in 1984

In 1984, there was a serious accident caused by a loss of adherence of the driving engine.   This accident involved the entire wedge of water and dam moving uncontrolled and at an unacceptable speed down the slope.  Supposedly, when it entered the lower pond, it created a canal tsunami, which crossed the aqueduct and then over-topped the lock into the Béziers basin (damaging a number of boats moored there). The wedge may, or may not, have had a boat in it at the time which may, or may not, have been a péniche.  There followed a series of inspections and surveys. A team of experts recommended a series of improvements and modifications and these were incorporated between 1985 and 1987.

The video below tells the story of the accident.  He claims it happens in 1981, but it was more likely 1984.  But the gist of the story is the same.

​

Back in service

In 1987, the machine was brought into service for the second time. It functioned for 5 days out of 7 during this initial period, reducing to 4 days out of 7 in 1988 and to 3 days out of 7 in 1989. Nevertheless, reliability was always a problem and it was not possible to operate the water slope, uninterrupted, for long periods. Frequent essential maintenance required many periods of interruption to its use and these breaks in availability increased over time.

On demand only service

In 1990, the operation of the water slope was changed to an “on demand” service and it functioned like this for 68 days in 1990 but for only 2 days in 1995. The last passage of boat goes back to 1999 and after taking into account the high costs of maintenance and reduced reliability of the machine; it was decided to close the water slope on 11 April 2001.

Despite the closure, the idea of a new start for the water slope has not been abandoned. The locks are one of the busiest sites on the Canal du Midi and the queues for the boats are rather long. Project work on the feasibility of restoration of the water slope has been defined and the technical solutions to make it possible to restart the machine are known. It now remains to build a plan of financing based on a partnership between VNF and the communities concerned.

​

Image Gallery

Click on any picture below to see a fullscreen image.  Resize your browser window or turn your mobile device if you want to see more of the picture; the pictures are rather square whereas most modern screens are rectangular.