View source for Ardèche (river)

{{Infobox river
| name              = Ardèche 
| image             = ArdèchePontD'Arc.jpg 
| image_caption     = The [[Pont d'Arc]] over the Ardèche River. 
| map               = Ardèche.png
| source1_location  = [[Massif Central]] 
| source1_coordinates= {{coord|44.7|4.04473|name=Ardeche }}
| mouth_location    = [[Rhône]] 
| mouth_coordinates = {{coord|44|15|52|N|4|38|53|E|display=inline,title}}
| progression       = {{RRhône}} 
| subdivision_type1 = Country
| subdivision_name1 = [[France]] 
| length            = {{convert|125|km|mi|abbr=on}} 
| source1_elevation = 
| discharge1_avg    = {{convert|65|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}} 
| basin_size        = {{convert|2430|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}
}}

The '''Ardèche''' ({{IPA|fr|aʁdɛʃ|lang|LL-Q150 (fra)-GrandCelinien-Ardèche.wav}}; {{langx|oc|Ardecha}}) is a {{convert|125|km|mi|adj=on}} long [[river]] in south-central [[France]], a right-bank [[tributary]] of the River [[Rhône]].<ref name=sandre>{{sandre|id=V50-0400|nom=L'Ardèche}}</ref> Its source is in the [[Massif Central]], near the village of [[Astet]]. It flows into the Rhône near [[Pont-Saint-Esprit]], north-west of [[Orange, France|Orange]]. The river gives its name to the French [[Departments of France|department]] of [[Ardèche]].

The valley of the Ardèche is very scenic, in particular a {{convert|30|km|mi|adj=on}} section known as the Ardèche Gorges. The walls of the river here are [[limestone]] [[cliff]]s up to {{convert|300|m|ft}} high. A [[kayak]] and camping trip down the [[Canyon|gorge]] is not technically difficult and is very popular in the summer. The most famous feature is a natural {{convert|60|m|ft|adj=on}} stone arch spanning the river known as the [[Pont d'Arc]] (arch bridge).

== Geography ==
The source of the river lies at {{convert|1467|m|ft}} above sea level in the [[Vivarais]], near the Col de la Chavade, in the forest of Mazan in the commune of [[Astet]]. After the towns of [[Aubenas]] and [[Ruoms]], it collects the [[Chassezac]] and the Beaume and plunges into its famous gorge below [[Vallon-Pont-d'Arc]]. It flows into the [[Rhône]] at [[Pont-Saint-Esprit]].

==Departments and communes==
[[File:Ardèche River (France).jpg|thumb|250px|Ardèche River near Aubenas]]
[[File:Die romantische Ardeche.JPG|thumb|250px|Part of the Ardèche River]]
[[File:Ardèche panorama.jpg|thumb|250px|Ardèche River panorama]]

The Ardèche flows through the following [[Departments of France|departments]] and communes:<ref>Google Maps</ref>
*Department of [[Ardèche]] (named after the river):
**[[Astet]] (source)
**[[Mayres, Ardèche|Mayres]] (Le Lignon joins)
**[[Barnas]]
**[[Thueyts]]
**[[Pont-de-Labeaume]] (La Fontolliere joins)
**[[Lalevade-d'Ardeche]] (right bank)
**[[Vals-les-Bains]] (left bank) (La Volane joins)
**[[Labégude]] (right bank)
**[[Ucel]] (left bank)
**[[Saint-Privat, Ardèche|Saint-Privat]] (left bank) (Le Luol joins)
**[[Aubenas]] (right bank)
**[[Saint-Didier-sous-Aubenas]]
**[[Saint-Étienne-de-Fontbellon]] (right bank)
**[[Vogüé]]
**[[Lanas]] (right bank)
**[[Saint-Maurice-d'Ardeche]] (left bank) (L'Auzon joins)
**[[Balazuc]]
**[[Chauzon]] (right bank)
**[[Pradons]] (left bank)
**[[Ruoms]] (left bank)
**[[Labeaume]] (right bank) (La Ligne joins)
**[[Saint-Alban-Auriolles]] (right bank) (La Beaume and La Cassezac joins)
**[[Vallon-Pont-d'Arc]] (left bank) (L'Ibie joins)
**[[Salavas]] (right bank)
**[[Labastide-de-Virac]] (right bank)
**[[Saint-Remèze]] (left bank) (Gorges de l'Ardeche)
**[[Bidon, Ardèche|Bidon]] (left bank)
**[[Saint-Martin-d'Ardeche]] (left bank)
**[[Saint-Just-d'Ardèche]] (left bank)
*Department of [[Gard]]
**[[Le Garn]] (right bank)
**[[Aiguèze]] (right bank)
**[[Saint-Julien-de-Peyrolas]]
**[[Saint-Paulet-de-Caisson]]
**[[Pont-Saint-Esprit]] (joins the [[Rhône]])

==Tributaries==
The most important [[Tributary|tributaries]] and subtributaries to the Ardèche include:
{|class="wikitable"
! Left tributary !! Right tributary
|-
| valign="top"|
* Fontolière
* [[Volane]]
* Luol
* Auzon
* [[Ibie]]
| valign="top"|
* [[Lignon (Ardèche)|Lignon]]
* Ligne
* Baume
** Drobie
* [[Chassezac]]
** Altier
** Borne
|}

== Hydrology ==
The river has an average discharge of {{convert|65|m3/s|cuft/s}} but experiences severe floods, called  "coups de l'Ardèche" (Blows of the Ardèche), in spring and autumn and periods of very low water in summer. During flood events in 1827, 1890, and 1924, it reached {{convert|7800|m3/s|cuft/s}} and the water level rose to a record {{convert|21.4|m|ft}} in the gorge.

Despite the Ardèche's short length, the flow of the river at {{convert|65|m3/s|cuft/s}} is relatively high—higher than the [[Gardon]] at {{convert|32|m3/s|cuft/s}}, the [[Cèze]] (22 m3/s), the [[Hérault]] (44 m3/s), or the [[Agout]] (55 m3/s)—major rivers south of the [[Massif Central]] but much longer.

===Rates of flow at Saint-Martin d'Ardèche===
[[File:Rocher en ardèche.JPG|thumb|right|Cliffs along the Ardèche]]
[[Image:Ardèche River (France).jpg|thumb|The Ardèche near [[Aubenas]]]]
The inter-annual average flow of the Ardèche was observed and calculated over a period of 26 years at Saint-Martin d'Ardèche. It amounted to {{convert|63.4|m3/s|cuft/s}} for a surface basin of {{convert|2240|km2|mi2}}—i.e. the vast majority of its watershed of {{convert|2430|km2|mi2}}. The river has seasonal fluctuations: a typical flow around the Cevennes, with high water in autumn and winter being double the normal, brings the average monthly flow at the first peak of {{convert|93|m3/s|cuft/s}} in October then, after falling to {{convert|76|m3/s|cuft/s}} in December, a new peak occurs from {{convert|96|to|102|m3/s|cuft/s}} in January–March (with a maximum in January). A rapid decline in flow rate follows ending in a dry period in July–August resulting in a decrease of the average monthly rate to the level of {{convert|12|m3/s|cuft/s}} in July.<ref>[http://www.rhone-alpes.ecologie.gouv.fr/hydro/debits/pdf/v5064010.pdf Page on characteristic flows - The Ardèche at Saint-Martin-d’Ardèche]{{dead link|date=October 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} {{in lang|fr}}</ref> (See bar chart below.)

The VCN3 (minimum flow) can drop to {{convert|2.5|m3/s|cuft/s}} in a dry year.

Floods can be extremely important (usually following storms in the Cevennes). The Qix 2 and Qix 5 are respectively {{convert|1800|and|2600|m3/s|cuft/s}} which is high. QIX 10 is {{convert|3100|m3/s|cuft/s}} while QIX 20 and QIX 50 respectively rise to {{convert|3600|and|4300|m3/s|cuft/s}}.

The maximum instantaneous flow recorded in Saint-Martin d'Ardèche has been {{convert|4500|m3/s|cuft/s}} (two-thirds of the average flow of the Danube), while the maximum recorded daily rate was {{convert|2506|m3/s|cuft/s}}.

The [[runoff curve number]] flowing into the catchment of the river is {{convert|897|mm|in}} annually, which is very high. The specific flow (Qs) reaches 28.3 litres per second per square kilometre of the catchment.

{{River discharge
|station=[[Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche]]
|date=data calculated over 54 years
|unit   = m{{Sup|3}}/s
|source =
|max discharge = 120
|main scale = 20
|secondary scale = 200
|jan1= 99.8
|feb1= 85.1
|mar1= 76.8
|apr1= 65.5
|may1= 55.5
|jun1= 33.8
|jul1= 12.4
|aug1= 13.1
|sep1= 35.6
|oct1= 97.9
|nov1= 107
|dec1= 88.6
}}

===Flows of waterways in the Ardèche catchment===

{| class="wikitable"
!rowspan="2"|Waterway
!rowspan="2"|Location
!colspan="7"|Flows in m{{Sup|3}} per second
!rowspan="2"|Side<br />max(m)
!rowspan="2"|Max.<br />instant
!rowspan="2"|Max.<br />journ.
!rowspan="2"|Runoff<br />Curve<br />(mm)
!rowspan="2"|Area<br />(km{{Sup|2}})
|-

!Module
!VCN3<br />(low water)
!QIX 2
!QIX 5
!QIX 10 
!QIX 20 
!QIX 50 
|-
|
|
| align="right" |
| align="right" |
| align="right" |
| align="right" |
| align="right" |
| align="right" |
| align="right" |
| align="right" |
| align="right" |
| align="right" |
| align="right" |
| align="right" |
|-
|'''Ardèche'''
|[[Meyras]]
| align="right" |3.52
| align="right" |0.090
| align="right" |150
| align="right" |230
| align="right" |280
| align="right" |330
| align="right" |-
| align="right" |4.09
| align="right" |360
| align="right" |157
| align="right" |{{formatnum:1092}}
| align="right" |102
|-
|'''Ardèche'''
|[[Pont-de-Labeaume]]
| align="right" |16.30
| align="right" |0.550
| align="right" |400
| align="right" |590
| align="right" |710
| align="right" |830
| align="right" |980
| align="right" |7.00
| align="right" |1660
| align="right" |531
| align="right" |{{formatnum:1840}}
| align="right" |280
|-
|'''Ardèche'''
|[[Vogüé]]
| align="right" |26.00
| align="right" |1.100
| align="right" |730
| align="right" |1100
| align="right" |1400
| align="right" |1600
| align="right" |1900
| align="right" |7.81
| align="right" |2200
| align="right" |890
| align="right" |1294
| align="right" |636 
|-
|'''Ligne''' 
|[[Labeaume]]
| align="right" |2.07 
| align="right" |0.002
| align="right" |170
| align="right" |300
| align="right" |390
| align="right" |480
| align="right" |-
| align="right" |4.14
| align="right" |622
| align="right" |162
| align="right" |586
| align="right" |112
|-
|'''Beaume'''
|[[Saint-Alban-Auriolles]] 
| align="right" |7.56 
| align="right" |0.230
| align="right" |270
| align="right" |430
| align="right" |540
| align="right" |640
| align="right" |-
| align="right" |5.73
| align="right" |683
| align="right" |348
| align="right" |994
| align="right" |241
|-
|[[Chassezac]]
|[[Chambonas]]
| align="right" |15.50
| align="right" |0.820
| align="right" |550
| align="right" |900
| align="right" |1100
| align="right" |1300
| align="right" |1600
| align="right" |-
| align="right" |1800
| align="right" |878
| align="right" |965
| align="right" |507
|-
|''- from Borne''
|''[[Saint-Laurent-les-Bains]]'' 
| align="right" |''2.69''
| align="right" |''0.075''
| align="right" |''110''
| align="right" |''180''
| align="right" |''230''
| align="right" |''270''
| align="right" |''330''
| align="right" |-
| align="right" |''694''
| align="right" |''174''
| align="right" |''1357''
| align="right" |''63''
|-
|''- from Altier''
|''[[Altier]]''
| align="right" |''3.44'' 
| align="right" |''0.130''
| align="right" |''120''
| align="right" |''210''
| align="right" |''270''
| align="right" |''330''
| align="right" |''400''
| align="right" |''3.12''
| align="right" |''960''
| align="right" |''190''
| align="right" |''1056''
| align="right" |''103''
|-
|'''Ardèche'''
|[[Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche]]
| align="right" |64.30
| align="right" |2.700
| align="right" |1800
| align="right" |2600
| align="right" |3100
| align="right" |3600
| align="right" |4300
| align="right" |8.12
| align="right" |4500
| align="right" |2510
| align="right" |908
| align="right" |{{formatnum:2240}}
|}

===Voice server===
The prefecture of Ardèche has provided a voice server since June 2005 whose objective is to regularly disseminate information messages to allow monitoring of any significant event that might trigger a civil security crisis or standby alert. Precise information on the evolution of any flood is provided.

=== Peculiarity ===
The Ardèche receives water from the [[Loire (river)|Loire]] river via the "La Palisse" flood barrier and the Lake d'Issarlès. Effectively, the water is collected to feed the EDF hydroelectric plant at [[Montpezat-sous-Bauzon]] and is subsequently piped into the Fontaulière river, a tributary of the Ardèche, near the town of Aubenas.

==Hydronymy==
Several ancient inscriptions about a college of ''nautes'' (Boatmen) in associated rivers have been discovered in the Gard. It is possible that the two rivers concerned are the Ardèche and the Ouvèze.<ref>CIL XII, 3316 and 2317; 4107 {{in lang|fr}}</ref>

The identification of these two rivers is still pending. However, if it does involve the Ardèche river, the spellings ''Hentica'' (from 950), then ''Ardesca'' (in the Charta Vetus) have been attested.

==Protected areas==
[[Image:Vogue01.JPG|thumb|300px|The Ardèche at [[Vogüé]] ]]
[[Image:Canoe_tourism_on_the_Ardeche.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Canoe tourism on the Ardeche]]
The Ardèche is protected along almost all of its course. These protected areas are:
*The sources of the Ardèche: [[Astet]] and [[Mayres, Ardèche|Mayres]], [[Zone naturelle d'intérêt écologique, faunistique et floristique|ZNIEFF]] type I
*The Upper valley of the Ardèche, between [[Thueyts]] and [[Ucel]]: ZNIEFF type I
*The [[Riparian forest]] and floodplain of the Ardèche, between [[Ucel]] and [[Vogüé]]: ZNIEFF type I
*The Middle Valley of the Ardèche and its Tributaries: [[Natura 2000]] site
*The National Nature Reserve of the Gorges de l'Ardèche
*The lower valley of the Ardèche: ZNIEFF type I.

==Tourist attractions==

*The [[Gorges de l'Ardèche]] - The Gorges de l'Ardèche (Ardèche Gorge) is located between the villages of [[Vallon-Pont-d'Arc]] and [[Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche]]. The road along the north rim of the gorge (the ''Corniche'') has views into the gorge and over the river.
*[[Pont d'Arc]] (arched bridge) - A natural stone bridge across the river near the town of Vallon-Pont-d'Arc forms the natural to the Gorges de l'Ardèche.
*[[Chauvet Cave]] - This limestone cave, which is named after its discoverer, is in the Gorges de l'Ardèche. It contains early Stone Age cave paintings of great variety and expressiveness. Since the cave is not open to the public, photographs of cave paintings are displayed in an exhibition in Vallon-Pont d'Arc.
[[File:Lions painting, Chauvet Cave (museum replica).jpg|thumb|left|280px|Lion paintings in the Chauvet cave]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Ardèche River}}
*[http://www.ardeche.pref.gouv.fr/ Prefecture of Ardèche] {{in lang|fr}}
*[http://www.rhone-alpes.ecologie.gouv.fr/hydro/debits/pdf/v5064010.pdf Characteristic Flows - The Ardèche at Saint-Martin-d’Ardèche]{{dead link|date=October 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} {{in lang|fr}}
*[http://www.hydro.eaufrance.fr/selection.php Banque Hydro - Station V5064010 - The Ardèche at Saint-Martin-d’Ardèche (Sauze St. Martin) - (option Synthèse)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219053605/http://www.hydro.eaufrance.fr/selection.php |date=2015-02-19 }} (Enter the Station Number)
*[http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Europe/France/photo180175.htm Trek Earth Photo]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ardeche (River)}}
[[Category:Tourism in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes]]
[[Category:Rivers of France]]
[[Category:Rivers of Ardèche]]
[[Category:Rivers of Gard]]
[[Category:Rivers of Lozère]]
[[Category:Rivers of Occitania (administrative region)]]
[[Category:Rivers of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Ardèche]]