Last Week’s Situations

Last week, Feb 23-March 1, water levels (WLs) along the lower Mekong River in Thailand’s Chiang Saen slightly increased about 0.02 metres and still higher about 0.64 metres above its long-term average (LTA). The water level at Lao PDR’s Luang Prabang was also increased about 0.32 metres, compared with last week and stay about 2.89 metres above its LTA due to the influence of dam operations upstream and Xayaburi. WLs at the monitoring stations at Chiang Khan in Thailand increased about 0.4`1 metres and stay about 0.71 metres above its LTA, while at Vientiane in Lao PDR slightly increased about 0.18 metres and still about 0.94 metres above its LTA, except at Nong Khai water level is about 0.31 metres below its LTA. WL at Lao PDR’s Paksane decreased below its minimum level about 0.47 metres since 4th January 2021 (8 weeks up to today), considered as very critical. This low water level is probably due to the influence of upstream dam operation. WLs at Nakhon Phanom to Pakse in Lao PDR and Thailand slightly decreased about 0.15 metres and still stay above their LTAs, except at Nakhon Phanom. WLs in Cambodia’s Stung Treng and Kratie slightly increased and 0.35 metres above their LTAs, while from Kompong Cham to Neak Luong on the Mekong River, Chaktomuk to Koh Khel on the Bassac River and Prekdam on the Tonle Sap River decreased below their LTAs. However, water levels at Koh Khel and Neak Luong rapidly fluctuated between -0.20 metre and 0.10 metre, that might be influenced by the downstream tidal. For the tidal stations at Viet Nam’s Tan Chau and Chau Doc, WLs fluctuated above their LTAs due to daily tidal effects from the sea.

Next Week’s Trends

Next week, from March 2-8, WLs along the lower Mekong River from Thailand’s Chiang Saen will slightly increase, and stay above its LTA, while water level at Lao PDR’s Luang Prabang will continue to stay close to its Maximum level. From Thailand’s Chiang Khan to Lao PDR’s Vientiane will slightly increase, follow the same trends from upstream and remain above their LTAs, except at Thailand’s Nong Khai the WL is below its LTA. WL at Paksane in Lao PDR will continue to stay below their historical minimum levels. WLs from Nakhon Phanom to Pakse in Thailand and Lao PDR will slightly increase and expect to reach their LTAs. From Cambodia’s Stung Treng to Kratie, water levels will slightly increase and still stay above their LTAs, while from Kompong Cham, Neak Luong on the Mekong River, Chaktomuk to Koh Khel on the Bassac River and Prekdam on the Tonle Sap River will slightly decrease below their LTAs. For the tidal stations at Viet Nam’s Tan Chau and Chau Doc will likely fluctuate below their LTAs, effected by the tidal process.

For more details on the near-real-time monitoring data for each station click here