Last Week’s Situations

Last week, March 2-8, water levels (WLs) along the lower Mekong River in Thailand’s Chiang Saen slightly increased about 0.16 metres and still higher about 0.75 metres above its long-term average (LTA). The water level at Lao PDR’s Luang Prabang was also increased about 0.11 metres, compared with last week and stay about 2.99 metres above its LTA due to the influence of dam operations upstream and Xayaburi. WLs at the monitoring stations at Chiang Khan in Thailand decreased about 0.09 metres and stay about 0.64 metres above its LTA, while at Vientiane in Lao PDR slightly decreased about 0.07 metres and still about 0.92 metres above its LTA, except at Nong Khai water level is about 0.20 metres below its LTA. WL at Lao PDR’s Paksane increased about 0.03 above its minimum level metres since 4th January 2021. It was observed that water levels at this station was about 8 weeks lower than its minimum levels since beginning of the dry season, still 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 increased about 0.20 metres and stay above their LTAs. WLs in Cambodia’s Stung Treng and Kratie slightly increased and 0.15 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 about -1.90 metre, that might be influenced by the downstream tidal. For the tidal stations at Viet Nam’s Tan Chau and Chau Doc, WLs fluctuated below their LTAs and reached to their minimum levels a few days ago in this week, due to daily tidal effects from the sea.

Next Week’s Trends

Next week, from March 9-15, WLs along the lower Mekong River from Thailand’s Chiang Saen will slightly decrease, but still 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 also decrease, 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 reach to its historical minimum levels. WLs from Nakhon Phanom to Pakse in Thailand and Lao PDR will slightly increase and expect to stay above 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