Equans France has completed a project to modernise hydraulic infrastructure at the Vinça dam in southern France, installing a new steel isolation gate to improve the security and management of water supplies to the Corbère canal.
The work was carried out by Ineo Réseaux Sud, part of the Aveyron Languedoc Roussillon branch of Equans France, on behalf of the Pyrénées-Orientales Department. The project was delivered between 2025 and 2026 in collaboration with dam operator BRL (Compagnie du Bas-Rhône Languedoc) and several technical partners.
The new steel gate, measuring 2m in diameter, replaces an ageing valve that no longer provided reliable isolation of the canal. The upgrade is intended to improve hydraulic continuity during periods of water scarcity while supporting the long-term resilience of the region’s irrigation network.
The project included civil engineering works, fabrication and installation of the steel gate, welding, testing and commissioning, as well as the construction of a new technical building.
The work was undertaken in a region that has experienced prolonged water shortages in recent years, making the reliability of water infrastructure increasingly important for agricultural irrigation.
The installation also presented a number of technical challenges, including a four-week shutdown window for critical works, the handling of a hydraulic assembly weighing more than 12 tonnes, and coordination with the simultaneous refurbishment of a hollow jet valve by the site operator. Teams also had to manage risks associated with flooding and high winds during construction.
During the project, contractors identified an existing drain valve at a low point in the system, allowing hydraulic management to be simplified and avoiding the need to construct a cofferdam. On-site teams also adapted welding procedures to accommodate ageing and porous pipework.
According to Equans France, the project was completed on schedule and without incident. The company said the upgraded infrastructure will provide more secure water supplies to the Corbère canal while improving the resilience of the area’s irrigation system in response to recurring drought conditions.
