In France, Spring 2011 Driest In Decades, Hottest In 100 Yrs - Water Restrictions In 58 Of 96 Depts.

The worst drought in decades threatens to cripple France’s agricultural sector, while strict water restrictions are being imposed across the country.

Hervé Brulé, a project director at the French Ministry of Ecology, told FRANCE 24 on Wednesday the water shortage was more severe than 1976, when a heat wave and 16-month dry spell parched much of northern Europe. “This is much worse than anything on record,” he said. “Of course the weather might change as we go into the second half of the year, but so far we have had less spring rain than in 1976.”

Brulé said water restrictions were active in 58 of France’s 96 mainland departments, meaning households were forbidden by law from watering their gardens or filling up their swimming pools on certain days and during daylight hours (see graphic below).

France is the EU's biggest producer of wheat, and a bad harvest could have significant implications for the price of bread far beyond its borders. And in France itself, a prolonged drought could have severe implications in a sector that is already on the brink.

EDIT

http://www.france24.com/en/20110601-farmers-crisis-worst-drought-decades-bites#

Many French reactors get their cooling from river water that is then expelled downstream, but regulations limit the temperature of the water (to avoid killing the fish among other concerns). Some of the plants may also have trouble even getting the water they need for cooling if water levels fall too far.

This means that just as electricity needs peak for needed air conditioning, many of their reactors may have to go offline.

One of the many perils of putting too many of your eggs in one basket.

Quite a few people died in the 2003 heat waves as a result.