The regional prefect, the mayor of Paris and the dam operators who regulate the flow of the Seine 200 kilometers upstream from the French capital have been doing the same morning reading lately: recordings of the river's data – its flow, its height – in other words, its mood. The opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Games on July 26 is imminent. For the first time, the athletes' parade is to be held outside a stadium. But for the Olympic party to take place, the sky has to be on its side. At the end of June, and over the weekend of July 20-21, heavy rain fell in eastern France, swelling the river to four times its normal flow. In recent days, the Seine seemed to be calming down again.

"1.25 meter water level, Tuesday, on waking; 350 m³/second [m³/s]," read Marc Guillaume, prefect of the Paris region, on July 23. This is a far cry from the usual ratings. But it's still below the thresholds above which measures must be taken, he asserted. "At 1.40 meters, we have to change two boats in the ceremony's main fleet that don't have enough air draft [height allowing boats to pass under bridges]. At 1.60 meters, we're replacing four others," explained the official who is also the watershed's coordinating prefect, and who signs the decrees authorizing nautical events. For the triathlon events on July 30 and 31 and the marathon swimming events on August 8 and 9, it is the bacteriological quality of the water that's scrutinized. However, international federation regulations stipulate that the current must not be too strong either.

Guillaume is also keeping an eye on the forecasts issued by the Vigicrues network – responsible for monitoring the level and flow of rivers in France – which are rather reassuring for Friday. "The forecast flow is between 300 and 380 m³/s; and the water level between 1.10 meters and 1.40 meters." Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, who spoke with the press on Tuesday afternoon, also admitted that she was "very anxious to know what the weather will be like on July 26." "It's Saint Anne's Day," added Hidalgo. "I hope it'll be nice. But we'll deal with it."

The reason why the state of the river is so important is that barges are more difficult to maneuver in strong currents. But, as with any large-scale show, the parade is timed to the minute. Each boat must cover the 6 kilometers separating the Gare d'Austerlitz (13^th arrondissement) from Trocadéro Square (16^th arrondissement) in 42 minutes. Navigation will take place in three lanes: televisions on the left, delegations in the center, and regulation on the right. In total, 187 boats are planned, including 85 for the delegations; no more than 150 meters between each, and no less either. Inflatables, one for every six boats, will make sure of this. The boats will be set up 4 kilometers upstream. Out of the 10,500 athletes present in Paris, 8,500 will be part of the parade. "In most cases, those who compete the following day won't take part in the ceremony," explained Guillaume. A planned 250 buses will transport them to the river banks.

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