The Mekong River and the Tonle Sap Great Lake form a vital ecological and economic system in the region, supporting rich biodiversity and the livelihoods of millions. However, decades of upstream development, overfishing, and weak resource management have degraded the system, resulting in declining fish stocks and increasing risks to agriculture—especially in Cambodia’s floodplains. The “Mekong–Great Lake Diversion” Project aims to enhance early-season water inflow into the Tonle Sap at the beginning of the wet season, after the lake has fully drained. This will support timely fish migration and help reduce risks to early rice crops. Through hydrological assessments, ecological studies, hydrodynamic modeling, and infrastructure planning, the project promotes integrated floodplain development, strengthens national food and water security, and fosters regional cooperation under the Mekong–Republic of Korea partnership. Read more...
Priority Sector
Environment
Project Site
No. of Direct Beneficiaries
Duration
Nov-2016 to Oct-2017
Conducted hydrological and ecological assessments to inform early flood flow strategies from the Mekong River to the Tonle Sap.
Developed hydrodynamic models to simulate water movement and optimize the timing of lake in-filling.
Designed infrastructure concepts to support water diversion and enhance flow control.
Facilitated stakeholder consultations to ensure alignment with local needs and regional priorities.
Applied integrated, multi-sectoral planning approaches to strengthen floodplain management and promote sustainable water resource development.
Scientific Assessments and Modeling: Recompiled and analyzed floodplain data to develop early flood scenarios that support fish migration and crop protection. Established an optimized hydrological data network to improve understanding of the Mekong–Tonle Sap flood dynamics and to inform long-term flood risk mapping and planning.
Infrastructure Planning and Design: Proposed a multi-objective water conservancy scheme tailored to current and future land use, integrating considerations such as climate change, topography, soil conditions, and hydrology.
Institutional Cooperation and Policy Promotion: Advanced planning under a flexible legal and institutional framework that encourages intersectoral collaboration, alignment of shared goals, and conflict mitigation—fostering a cooperative environment for integrated water resource management.
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