Historic Floods of the Rhône

This lecture covers the historic floods of the Rhône river, dating back to 563 and including significant events in 1640, 1740, 1778, 1846, and 1860. It discusses the impact of floods on the valley downstream, the formation of lakes due to dam failures, and the construction of protection works. The presentation also delves into the first known flood in 563, the challenges faced in the 16th century, and the development of flood protection measures over the centuries, culminating in the second correction of the Rhône from 1936 to 1960. The lecture concludes with a reflection on the ecological consequences of human interventions on the river.