This is an area of gently rolling hills set amid relatively flat alluvial plains. Such conditions are known as hungry water and can be highly destructive, as the water eats away at river banks and causes erosion.

Learn about the physical features of Europe. When the monsoon ends, and the river level drops once more, the Tonle River reverses its flow and begins to head southwards again, draining the Great Lake. CheyPhnom Penh 12353, Cambodia. The Lao Peoples Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) contributes some 35% of this water, followed by Thailand and Cambodia (18% each), China (16%), Vietnam (11%) and Myanmar (2%). It is already operating more than 60 dams on Mekong tributaries, and late last year two of the several dams it has planned for the main stem of the river, which has so far remained undammed below China, came online. More than one-third of the 60-something commercial dai operators, who work stationary nets in the Tonle Sap River, did not even begin fishing this season. The Mekong River rises in Chinas Southeastern province of Qinghai, specifically Za Qu, where it is referred Lancang. Now its drying up, under attack from dam building, overfishing, and sand mining.

As the water races down through the system, it eventually gets to the Mekong Delta, when it begins to back up because there are not enough tributaries through the delta. The clear, slow-flowing water has also allowed algae to grow on the sand and bedrock bottom of the river.

Dolphins sometimes play metaphorical roles in Cambodian folklore. Basin Development Strategy 2021-2030 & In the dry season when the floods subside, the Sab reverses its flow to drain southeastward into the Mekong. It is very likely, however, that the plant is not releasing as much water as it is taking in, contributing to the low water level downstream. The Mekong River is approximately 2,703 miles, however, some sources provide different, but similar, numbers. Learn about Asian ethnic groups and Asian nationalities which span across the massive continent. The contrast between the physical conditions that prevail above and below the Mekongs descent from the Yunnan highlands divide it into two major parts. Discover the physical features and the major landform types of Africa and the Middle Eastern nations. In this area, known as the Nine Dragons, a series of smaller distributaries split off from the main stream of the Mekong and Bassac. Heres what its like to dive French Polynesias shark alley, Theres a better way to hike the Inca Trail, 10 epic family adventures for last-minute planners, Source: Mulligan and others, "GOODD, a global dataset of more than 38,000 georeferenced dams," Scientific Data, 2020. The current drought is driven by El Nio conditionsthe warm, wet half of a naturally occurring weather cyclethat are predicted to last several years and may be exacerbated by warming temperatures. The Mekong River, flowing down to Cambodia from Lao PDR, has rapid flows and shallows as far as Kratie Province, and it is difficult to navigate, while from Kratie Province to Phnom Penh Municipality, the current flows moderately with a deep water depth and is suitable for navigation. Detailed survey of rainfall and surface water in the Mekong catchment, 2.1.4. Lately, the situation has grown more dire.

It is home to Southeast Asias largest lake, the Tonle Sap, also known as the beating heart of the Mekong. Each year, after the rains begin, the Tonle Sap, which connects to the Mekong through its eponymous river, expands many times in size and provides vital habitat for fish to feed and grow. But its not dying. Learn how the geography of each region contributes to their political divides, and explore the concentration of different people groups. MRC Strategic Plan 2021-2025. Learn about the physical and human characteristics of East Asia, mapping them by country, and examine the most human creations of the region: cities. The Dmrei (Elephant) and Krvanh (Cardamom) mountains in southwestern Cambodia constitute the southern highlands. It has a length of about 2,700 miles (4,350 km). Learn the abundant reuses in China, Japan, and the Koreas, and the development of each through resource production, and raising capital. While on assignment for National Geographic magazine, photographer David Guttenfelder captured one second of video to represent each day in the field. This is where the Mekong Delta begins as the Mekong and Bassac Rivers enter a large fertile plain in southern Viet Nam. Last year, however, the water from the Mekong into the Tonle Sap came so late and receded so early that large parts of the lake never filled up. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. The Mekongs most important tributaries in this region are the Kading, the Bangfai, the Banghiang, and the Kongwhich, with its affluent the San, drains a large area of southern Laos, central Vietnam, and eastern Cambodia. The Mekong Region contains 16 WWF Global 200 ecoregions, the greatest concentration of ecoregions in mainland Asia. Stonehenge was one triumph amid an ancient building boom. The river divides into two branches below Phnom Penh: the Mekong proper and the Bassac (Basak). It discharges 16,000 cubic meters of water per second or about 475 cubic kilometers annually.

Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Integrated Water Resources A fisherman on the banks of the Mekong River outside Nong Khai, Thailand, on January 10. Mass deaths of fish were reported because of shallow and oxygen-poor water. Createyouraccount. Learn about the climate of South Asia and understand its characteristics.

Explore the distribution of Europe's wildlife, learning about the plants and animals native to its eight distinct climate regions. copyright 2003-2022 Study.com. The river basin drains a total land area of 795,000 km2 and has a mean annual discharge of 475 km3 , the tenth largest in the world. As the river widens in the Northern Highlands, large tributaries including the Nam Ta, Nam Ou, Nam Soung and Nam Khan enter on the Mekong Rivers left bank; the Nam Mae Kok and Nam Mae Ing enter on the right bank. From here, it flows southwestwards and forms the Myanmar-Laos border for approximately 100 kilometers until it gets to a second tripoint known as the Golden Triangle (Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand), which is also its confluence with the Ruak River. fisheries sustainability, opportunities for agriculture, freedom of navigation, sustainable When drought sets in, China effectively controls the flow of the river, says Brian Eyler, director of the Southeast Asia program at The Stimson Center in Washington, D.C. Fishers and farmers in northern Thailand have long had to deal with wild fluctuations in river flow as China stores and releases water from its dams. Learn more about theregions of the Mekong River Basin. The geography of Southeast Asian nations has impacted the development of their civilizations significantly. This website uses cookies to analyse how our site is used and optimise functionality. Want to help Californias kelp forests? Discover Southwest Asia. Mekong River tributaries and Rainfall, 2.1.3. Major Landforms in Europe's Different Regions. As drought gripped the region, water levels in the Mekong dropped to their lowest in 100 years. The upper section, above Chau Doc (Chau Phu), has strong natural levees (embankments built on either side of the river by accumulated deposits of silt) behind which are low, wide depressions. Discover the natural resources of South Asia and understand the impact they have on the region's products, capital, and people.

The upper Mekong flows 1,215 miles (1,955 km) through a long, narrow valley comprising roughly one-fourth of the total area, cutting through the mountains and plateaus of southwestern China. The Mekong rises in the Himalayas in China, in an area called the three-rivers area. Learn about the advantages and disadvantages of being surrounded by water and mountainous terrain as well as the historical influence of China and India on Southeastern Asian countries due to their location along trade routes between them. Eat sea urchins. Please be respectful of copyright. With regional cooperation considered essential to changing policies, some people are looking to the Mekong River Commission to take on a stronger role.

The lower Mekong, below the point where it forms the border between Myanmar and Laos, is a stream 1,485 miles (2,390 km) in length draining the Khorat Plateau of northeastern Thailand, the western slopes of the Annamese Cordillera in Laos and Vietnam, and most of Cambodia, before reaching the sea through the distributary channels of its delta in southern Vietnam. Soils and deciduous vegetation on the hills are thin, and much of the original forest has been replaced by grassland as a result of grazing and repeated burning. The southern lowlands border both sides of the Mekong below Pakx (Pakse) in Laos. Click below to download the Mekong River Basin map. Forest degradation, which has resulted from lumbering, shifting cultivation, and grazing, is widespread in this region. advice, and innovative knowledge and solutions to help the lower Mekong countries promote

At the same time, the hungry water has moved into Cambodia. In Vietnam, Mekong (eastern branch)s main distributaries are Ba Lai, My Tho, Co Chien, and Ham Luong Rivers. Eyler, The Stimson Center director, says his biggest concern is a major food shortage in the Tonle Sap. In 2009, 145 new species were described from the Mekong Region, comprising 29 fish species previously unknown to science, two new bird species, ten reptiles, five mammals, 96 plants and six new amphibians. With the dry season having just set in, fears are that matters could deteriorate quickly.

The MRC is an intergovernmental organisation for regional dialogue and Near Phnom Penh a junction occurs between the Mekong and the Sab River, which connects it to the Tonle Sap, sometimes called the Great Lake. The Mekong River is the longest river in Southeast Asia. Capacity Building & Professional Development, The Mekong is usually considered the worlds 12th longest river at 4,350 km, 75% of the Mekongs annual flow falls with the monsoon between July and October, The Mekongs drainage basin covers 795,000 km. The Lower Mekong River Basin is made up of the Northern Highlands, the Khorat Plateau, the Tonle Sap Basin and the Mekong Delta. An estimated 40 million rural people are involved in the wild capture fishery two-thirds of the entire basin rural population. It is a deeply interconnected river in which changes in one place can have major consequences elsewhere. According to one estimate, fish catches may have declined by up to 90 percent in Tonle Sap, forcing many fishers to abandon their work. Below Myanmar, the river basin may be divided into six major sections on the basis of landforms, vegetation, and soils: the northern highlands, Khorat Plateau, eastern highlands, southern lowlands, southern highlands, and delta. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The eastern highlands form part of the Annamese Cordillera, from which streams drain west into the Mekong. There are several major climates present across East Asia, each carrying different weather patterns.

23% is located in Thailand, 21% in China, 20% in Cambodia, 8% in Vietnam, and the remaining 3% is in Myanmar. Study the different types of Southwest and Southeast Asia climates with examples. Omissions?

Throughout its course, the Mekong River is fed by a series of tributaries. Originating in the icy headwaters of the Tibetan highlands, the Mekong River flows through the steep canyons of China, known as the upper basin, through lower basin countries Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia, before fanning across an expansive delta in Vietnam and emptying into the South China Sea. By the time the next peak time for fishing rolled around, earlier this month, dai catches had declined even further, and the majority of the operators had decided to close down. The biggest include the giant river carp, which can grow up to 1.5 meters and weigh 70 kilograms; the Mekong Freshwater Stingray, which can have a wingspan of up to 4.3 meters, the Giant Pangasius, Siamese Giant Carp and the Mekong Giant Catfish, all three of which can grow up to about 3 metres in length and weigh 300 kilograms. Can you conquer it? TCI History Alive America's Past: Online Textbook Help, DSST Human Cultural Geography: Study Guide & Test Prep, Introduction to Human Geography: Certificate Program, Introduction to Human Geography: Help and Review, NY Regents Exam - Global History and Geography: Help and Review, NY Regents Exam - Global History and Geography: Tutoring Solution, Introduction to Political Science: Help and Review, Introduction to Political Science: Tutoring Solution, Intro to Criminal Justice: Help and Review, 6th Grade Life Science: Enrichment Program, 7th Grade Life Science: Enrichment Program, 8th Grade Life Science: Enrichment Program, Introduction to Criminal Justice Syllabus Resource & Lesson Plans, All Teacher Certification Test Prep Courses, Working Scholars Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community. The Mekong River joins the Tonle Sap River and then branches off the Bassac River, which can support the passage of 3,000- ton class vessels bound for ports overseas.Water quantities during the annual wet season amount to about twenty times as that of the dry season. Mekong River, Cambodian Mkngk, Laotian Mnam Khong, Thai Mae Nam Khong, Vietnamese Sng Tin Giang, Chinese (Pinyin) Lancang Jiang or (Wade-Giles) Lan-tsang Chiang, river that is the longest river in Southeast Asia, the 7th longest in Asia, and the 12th longest in the world. Water environment in the Mekong River systems. All of these are in serious decline, because of dams, flood control and overfishing. The direction of flow of the Sab River varies according to the season. The MRC supports a basin-wide planning process based on principles of But, as the operations manager Sue Mao explained, the catch was far less than what a dai is capable of pulling in during good years: over five tons of fish in just an hour. Conservationists are scrambling to come up with a plan to help the critically endangered animal before its too late, but time is running out. It originates from the Sanjianyuang in the Tibetan Plateau, with the area designated a national nature reserve to protect the headwaters of Yangtze, Yellow, and Mekong Rivers.

2, Sangkat Chak Angre Krom, Khan Mean This is an area where the river rushes down relatively narrow gorges. Major Landforms of South Asia Overview & Location | What are South Asia Landforms?

Impact of Resources on the Movement of Products, Capital & People in South Asia. This one, astray and fading, could be an analogy for how the Mekong has lost its way. It incorporates the areas of six countries (Table), including six broad hypsographic regions. Learn about landforms in South Asia and general characteristics about the region. Table 2: Approximate distribution of Mekong River Basins water Forest covers 43% the land area of this basin. In the delta, where the river splits into multiple branches, the Vietnamese refer to it as Cuu Long, meaning nine dragons. The Tonle Sap is a highly productive fishing ground. The poor fishing conditions have continued into the current season, with much less waterand fishmoving down the Tonle Sap River.