| Hérault | |
|---|---|
A bridge and aqueduct over the Hérault river near Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, as seen from Pont du Diable |
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| Origin | Cévennes |
| Mouth | Mediterranean Sea |
| Basin countries | France |
| Length | 148 km |
| Avg. discharge | 50 m³/s |
| Basin area | 2,900 km² |
The Hérault (French pronunciation: [eʁo]; Occitan: Erau) is a river of southern France. Its length is 148 kilometres (92 mi). Its source is in the Cévennes mountains. It reaches the Mediterranean Sea near Agde. The Hérault flows through the following départements and towns:
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The lower reaches of the Hérault, from Bessan to the sea at Agde, are navigable. The lowest 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) are tidal, whilst the next 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) forms part of the Canal du Midi. These two sections of the river are linked to each other, and to the Canal du Midi to the west, by short junction canals and the famous Agde Round Lock.[1][2]
At the upper end of the section of the Hérault used by the Canal du Midi, the Prades Lock provides access to the Canal du Midi to the east. Above this lock, the river is navigable for a further 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) or so.[2]