Mekong Dam Monitor (Update for November 4 - 10, 2024)

 

Update for November 4-10

Notable changes on the Mekong in the last week. Visit the Monitor home for more, including Burmese, 中文, Khmer, ພາສາລາວ, ไทย, and Tiếng Việt translation.

SPOTLIGHT October flow was varied throughout the basin At Chiang Saen, China’s dam restrictions reduced natural flow by 16%, driving flow to more than 20% below historical average. At Nakhon Phanom, flow was 19% higher than the historical average despite dam impacts. At Stung Treng, natural flow would have been 4% below historical average, but upstream dam restrictions reduced it to 9% below historical average. October 2024 was the first October in four years when Mekong River flow to Stung Treng, Cambodia was not well above normal.

IMAGE OF THE WEEK Lower portions of the Mekong Basin contributed less water than usual in October In October, more than 50% of Mekong flow came from above Vientiane, an unusual outcome for late wet season flow. Typically the lower portions of the Mekong Basin are the wettest at this time of year, and basins like the 3S Basin have been recorded to contribute more than 30% flow in October. Lower flow contributions in October from this region were not due to dam restrictions in the lower sub-basins but rather lack of rainfall in most areas.

Where is the water? A moderate net release of 470 million cubic meters was observed last week. A major release came from Xiaowan (PRC, 529 million cubic meters) but was offset by a major restriction at Huangdeng (PRC 182 million cubic meters) located above Xiaowan.

Reservoir Storage Over Time

River Levels River levels throughout the basin are now well below normal.

Chiang Saen Gauge Stung Treng Gauge

Weather & Wetness The upper basin in China experienced extreme wetness and high temperatures last week, creating conditions for the Huangdeng Dam to fill. Severe drought is observed throughout much of the lower Mekong with exception to the Cardamom Mountains in Cambodia.