IWG-Env International Work Session on Water Statistics Vienna, June 20-22, 2005 Water Statistics in the Mekong River Basin

IWG-Env International Work Session on Water Statistics

Vienna, June 20-22, 2005

IWG-Env International Work Session on Water Statistics

Vienna, June 20-22, 2005

Water Statistics in the Water Statistics in the Mekong River BasinMekong River Basin

Ulf Hedlund, MRC SecretariatUlf Hedlund, MRC SecretariatIWG-Env International Work Session on Water Statistics, Vienna, June 20-22, 2005IWG-Env International Work Session on Water Statistics, Vienna, June 20-22, 2005 22

Presentation outlinePresentation outlinePresentation outlinePresentation outline

About the Mekong River and the MRC

Water statistics at MRC

Sustainability issues

Conclusions


The Mekong River The Mekong River BasinBasin

Six Riparian NationsSix Riparian Nationsin South East Asiain South East Asia

The Mekong River The Mekong River BasinBasin

Six Riparian NationsSix Riparian Nationsin South East Asiain South East Asia


The Mekong River from source to deltaThe Mekong River from source to deltaThe Mekong River from source to deltaThe Mekong River from source to delta

Average flow contributionUpper Mekong (18%) China – 16% Myanmar – 2%

Lower Mekong (82%) Cambodia – 18% Lao PDR– 35% Thailand – 18% Viet Nam – 11%


The Lower Mekong BasinThe Lower Mekong BasinThe Lower Mekong BasinThe Lower Mekong Basin

FourFour riparian countries riparian countries PopulationPopulation of 60 million, with

rapid increase to 100 million in 2025

Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Viet Nam are among the poorest poorest countriescountries in Asia and the World

Water is an essentialresource for livelihoods:fisheries, agriculture,energy…

One of the most productive and diverse ecosystemsecosystems in the world


The 1995 Agreement The 1995 Agreement The 1995 Agreement The 1995 Agreement

Cooperation in all fields of sustainable development, utilisation, management and

conservation of the water and related resources of the Lower Mekong Basin


JOINT COMMITTEE(Members at level of Head of

Department or higher)

NATIONAL MEKONG COMMITTEES (NMC)

(Member Agencies)

DONOR CONSUL-TATIVE GROUP(Donor countries and

cooperating institutions)

COUNCIL(Members at Ministerial and

Cabinet Level)

Government of

Cambodia

Government of

Lao PDR

Government of

Thailand

Government of

Vietnam

Mekong River Commission Secretariat

Operational arm providing

Technical and Administrative Support

MRC Organizational StructureMRC Organizational StructureMRC Organizational StructureMRC Organizational Structure


Irrigated AgricultureIrrigated AgricultureFisheriesFisheries

HydropowerHydropowerNavigationNavigation

Watershed Management Watershed ManagementFlood Management Flood Management

Water Supply and SanitationWater Supply and SanitationTourismTourism

To make optimal use of To make optimal use of water in the various water in the various

sectorssectors


MRC is data hungry!MRC is data hungry!MRC is data hungry!MRC is data hungry!

• Administration • Climate • Culture • Fisheries • Forestry • Inundation (flooding)• Irrigation• Population & Human settlements • Socio-economics

• Soils • Topography • Transportation • Water

• Hydro-meteoHydro-meteo time series time series • Water QualityWater Quality

• Water useWater use

Some examples of current data holdings…Some examples of current data holdings…


Historical HM time series dataHistorical HM time series dataHistorical HM time series dataHistorical HM time series data

Data type No. of stations

Water level & discharge 242

Rainfall 503

Meteorology 44

Sediment 60

> 16,000 station yrs

More WL than Discharge Quality control ongoing Used for many purposes Published yearly


Operational HM time Operational HM time series dataseries data

Operational HM time Operational HM time series dataseries data

Item Flood season

Dry season

Water level Data 44 19

Rainfall Data 44 19

Delivery interval Daily Weekly

Item AHNIP M-HYCOS

Water Level 18 < 50

Rainfall Data 2 < 50

Delivery interval Daily Hourly?

Forecasting time-series data

Near real-time data (telemetric)

2 stations from China


Use of operational HM dataUse of operational HM dataUse of operational HM dataUse of operational HM data

Flood forecasting

Flash flood forecasting

Navigation

Legend No Warning Warning level reached Flooding level reached No data available

#N/A No data availableJune 13, 2005

Zero gauge level Alarm Observed water levels Forecasted water levels

Station name ID MSL Flood level Alarm level Status 7-Jun 8-Jun 9-Jun 10-Jun 11-Jun 12-Jun 13-Jun 14-Jun 15-Jun 16-Jun 17-Jun 18-Jun

Chiang Saen CSA 357.11 11.80 11.50 0 2.94 3.15 3.16 3.07 3.04 3.36 3.07 3.04 2.95 2.85 3.16 3.44Luang Prabang LUA 267.195 18.00 17.50 0 4.44 4.61 5.13 5.57 5.74 5.73 5.57 5.37 5.18 5.08 4.87 4.99Chiang Khan CKH 194.118 17.40 17.32 0 3.38 3.52 3.96 4.38 4.81 5.34 4.38 4.33 4.15 4.07 4.00 3.95Vientiane VIE 158.04 12.50 11.50 0 1.14 1.12 1.28 1.60 1.84 2.04 2.30 2.22 2.17 2.13 2.07 1.96Nongkhai NON 153.648 12.20 11.40 0 1.85 1.81 1.90 2.24 2.51 2.70 2.97 2.89 2.84 2.80 2.74 2.63Paksane PAK 142.125 14.50 13.50 0 3.78 3.70 3.76 4.24 4.43 4.68 4.98 5.15 4.95 4.80 4.70 4.52Nakhon Phanom NAK 130.961 12.70 12.60 0 1.96 1.90 2.10 2.22 2.50 3.10 3.50 3.60 3.70 3.60 3.50 3.42Thakhek THA 129.629 13.50 13.00 0 3.08 3.05 3.35 3.48 3.75 4.35 4.75 5.07 5.17 5.07 4.97 4.90Mukdahan MUK 124.219 12.60 12.50 0 2.25 2.22 2.28 2.41 2.52 2.83 3.33 3.75 4.00 4.08 3.98 3.88Savannakhet SAV 125.022 13.00 12.00 0 1.30 1.19 1.22 1.31 1.34 1.71 2.22 2.56 2.81 2.89 2.80 2.70Khong Chiam KHO 89.03 16.20 16.00 0 2.42 2.57 2.60 2.59 2.68 2.88 2.84Ubon (Nam Mun) UBO 105.074 10.50 0 1.78 1.75 1.72 1.67 1.65 1.63 1.69Pakse PKS 86.49 12.00 11.00 0 1.42 1.58 1.62 1.62 1.66 1.76 1.90 2.15 2.39 2.62 2.70 2.60StungTreng STR 36.79 12.00 10.70 0 2.57 2.60 2.72 2.83 2.90 2.91 2.94 2.99 3.02 3.05 3.22 3.23Kratie KRA -1.08 23.00 22.00 0 7.29 7.32 7.49 7.67 7.81 7.95 8.01 8.11 8.25 8.36 8.40 8.40Kompong Cham KOM -0.93 16.20 15.20 0 2.89 2.89 2.93 3.02 3.20 3.33 3.45 3.49 3.57 3.67 3.75 3.80Phnom Penh (Bassac) PPB -1.02 12.00 10.50 0 1.78 1.81 1.84 1.92 2.01 2.06 2.09 2.12 2.15 2.20 2.25 2.30Phnom Penh Port PPP 0 11.00 9.50 0 0.95 0.97 0.99 1.05 1.13 1.16 1.20 1.23 1.26 1.31 1.36 1.40Koh Khel (Bassac) KOH 7.90 7.40 0 1.89 1.92 1.96 2.01 2.07 2.11 2.13 2.16 2.16 2.18 2.21 2.25Neak Luong NEA -0.33 8.00 7.50 0 0.93 0.99 1.03 1.12 1.22 1.28 1.30 1.32 1.35 1.37 1.41 1.44Prek Kdam (Tonle Sap) PRE 0.08 10.00 9.50 0 0.97 0.99 1.02 1.06 1.15 1.19 1.22 1.24 1.26 1.28 1.30 1.32Tan Chau TCH 0 4.20 3.00 0 0.00 0.19 0.23 0.14 0.07 0.00 0.01 0.03 0.08 0.12 0.15 0.22Chau Doc (Bassac) CDO 0 3.50 2.50 0 0.08 0.18 0.39 0.27 0.20 0.12 0.13 0.05 0.04 0.07 0.13 0.19

.

Zero gauge level Rainfall Data Observed discharges Forecasted discharges

Station name ID MSL Flood level 12-Jun Status 7-Jun 8-Jun 9-Jun 10-Jun 11-Jun 12-Jun 13-Jun 14-Jun 15-Jun 16-Jun 17-Jun 18-Jun

Chiang Saen CSA 357.11 11.80 17.3 2 1666 1849 1858 1778 1752 2040 1778 1752 1674 1589 1858 2115Luang Prabang LUA 267.195 18.00 n/r 2 1543 1637 1941 2220 2334 2327 2220 2091 1972 1911 1786 1856Chiang Khan CKH 194.118 17.40 1.6 2 1250 1308 1504 1710 1943 2262 1710 1684 1594 1556 1522 1499Vientiane VIE 158.04 12.50 n/r 2 1517 1506 1596 1786 1939 2073 2258 2200 2164 2136 2094 2019Nongkhai NON 153.648 12.20 7.3 2 1509 1489 1535 1717 1873 1990 2164 2111 2078 2053 2015 1946Paksane PAK 142.125 14.50 5.5 -99Nakhon Phanom NAK 130.961 12.70 14.0 2 3451 3365 3656 3835 4270 5271 5990 6177 6365 6177 5990 5843Thakhek THA 129.629 13.50 3.8 2 2997 2958 3360 3542 3934 4875 5554 6128 6312 6128 5946 5820Mukdahan MUK 124.219 12.60 6.8 2 2832 2792 2873 3050 3205 3660 4455 5180 5636 5786 5599 5415Savannakhet SAV 125.022 13.00 n/r 2 3164 3002 3045 3178 3223 3798 4654 5266 5735 5889 5716 5527Khong Chiam KHO 89.03 16.20 n/r 2 2814 2998 3035 3022 3136 3394 3342Ubon (Nam Mun) UBO 105.074 10.50 4.7 2 106 102 98 91 88 85 93Pakse PKS 86.49 12.00 n/r 2 2882 3179 3255 3255 3331 3525 3803 4318 4833 5346 5528 5300StungTreng STR 36.79 12.00 n/r 2 3801 3906 4335 4741 5005 5043 5158 5351 5469 5587 6271 6312Kratie KRA -1.08 23.00 n/r -99Kompong Cham KOM -0.93 16.20 n/r -99Phnom Penh (Bassac) PPB -1.02 12.00 n/r -99Phnom Penh Port PPP 0 11.00 n/r -99Koh Khel (Bassac) KOH 7.90 0.9 -99Neak Luong NEA -0.33 8.00 31.1 -99Prek Kdam (Tonle Sap) PRE 0.08 10.00 1.3 -99Tan Chau TCH 0 4.20 n/r -99Chau Doc (Bassac) CDO 0 3.50 n/r -99

Mekong River Commission

More about this on Wednesday!


Water Quality StatisticsWater Quality StatisticsWater Quality StatisticsWater Quality Statistics

100 sites Monthly samples Delivered yearly/quarterly 20 parameters Analysis by designated

labs QA procedures in place

– Round robin analysis– Standard samples

Used to examine spatial patterns and trends in WQ


Water Use DataWater Use DataWater Use DataWater Use Data

~ 80% of water abstracted is used in agriculture

Measurement of direct water use quite limited in LMB

Estimations calculated (estimated) on secondary data

Secondary data not always available, complete or accurate

Current water use estimations could usefully be improved


Sustainability issuesSustainability issuesSustainability issuesSustainability issues

Technical and institutional mechanisms

Quantity, reliability and timeliness

Continuity: management of data collection networks

Availability of resources and capacity

These issues applies to all MRC data These issues applies to all MRC data collection collection (and other organizations…?)(and other organizations…?)


Institutional and technical mechanismsInstitutional and technical mechanismsInstitutional and technical mechanismsInstitutional and technical mechanisms

Improving conditions for data exchange and sharing– Regional forum for D&I exchange and

sharing issues (TACT)– Build trust and change attitudes– National data custodianship– Develop procedures, guidelines etc– Support to national agencies

The MRC Information System– Integrated databases– Models– Institutional and technical mechanisms– Capacity enhancements


Quantity, reliability, timelinessQuantity, reliability, timelinessQuantity, reliability, timelinessQuantity, reliability, timeliness

Improvement of HM network density– Climate data especially

Quality Assessment and Assurance– Database review– SOPs, QA procedures, …

Timeliness– Delays in validation and delivery to MRC– Data Delivery Schedule & support to countries– Real-time telemetry networks


Continuity: management of networksContinuity: management of networksContinuity: management of networksContinuity: management of networks

O&M closely related to sustainability of financial and human resources

O&M cost can be quite substantial– Some national budgets very limited– Limited lasting effect of projects

Situation not unique to LMB…

Gradual improvements expected

Support to countries required in foreseeable future


Limitations in resources and capacityLimitations in resources and capacityLimitations in resources and capacityLimitations in resources and capacity

Access to skilled staff and sufficient funds two critical elements

– Present limitations in both is a challenge

Regional HM capacity/skills are in shortage– Big differences between MRC member countries

Clear need to build regional capacity– Long-term commitment required

In recognition of current limitations…– MRC seeks to establish new DSIM Programme– Donor funding sought– 5 year implementation phase


Access to MRC dataAccess to MRC dataAccess to MRC dataAccess to MRC data

Internal– LAN/GIS software– Web Portal

Interactive maps Metadata catalog

External– Requests to MRCS– Data publications (Atlas CDs, Yearbooks…)– Online (www.mrcmekong.org)

Flood forecasting/river monitoring Web Portal


ConclusionsConclusionsConclusionsConclusions

MRC holds substantial amounts of data Improvements needed to provide data required

in the future MRC data collection depends on regional and

national capacity and resources Lack of resources a limiting factor Sustainability in management of data collection

networks a tough challenge Implementation of Decision Support and

Information Management Programme will be a good step forward


Documents

IWG-Env International Work Session on Water Statistics Vienna, June 20-22, 2005 Water Statistics in the Mekong River Basin