Royal Irrigation Department Advances Environmental Impact Study for Yom River Water Gates to Combat Super El Niño Drought
Thailand's Royal Irrigation Department is building three water gates across the Yom River basin in northern provinces to manage recurring droughts and floods affecting over 60,000 rai of farmland, with environmental protections and communit
The Royal Irrigation Department is accelerating implementation of systematic water management projects in the Yom River basin through construction of water control structures in the upper and lower sections across Phayao, Phrae, Phichit, and Nakhon Sawan provinces to address water shortages in agricultural areas and enhance capacity at existing pumping stations.
Dr. Phormmongkhol Chidchop, director of the Water Management Development and Participation Division at the Royal Irrigation Department, explained that the Yom River basin suffers from recurring floods and droughts due to inadequate water control and storage infrastructure. During the rainy season, water flows unused, while the dry season brings severe water shortages. The project adopts a "stepped water retention" concept, with three pilot projects selected based on engineering, economic, and environmental impact criteria.
The three selected projects are:
1. Ban Pa Khhaem Water Gate Project in Moo 4, Ban Pa Khhaem, Ban Maang Sub-district, Chiang Muan District, Phayao Province, benefiting over 3,000 rai of rice paddies, longan, teak, rubber plantations, and mixed crops.
2. Den Chai Water Gate Project in Moo 4, Ban Nam Khong, Den Chai Sub-district, Den Chai District, Phrae Province, benefiting approximately 30,469 rai across 10 sub-districts and supplying water to the Den Chai Provincial Waterworks Authority.
3. Tha Nang Water Gate Project in Moo 4, Ban Tha Nang, Tha Nang Sub-district, Pho Tha Le District, Phichit Province, covering approximately 27,375 rai across 10 sub-districts for rice, bananas, citrus, fruit trees, cassava, and sugarcane cultivation.
Combined, the three projects will benefit approximately 60,844 rai across Phayao, Phrae, Phichit, and Nakhon Sawan provinces. Dr. Phormmongkhol stated that the areas are technically suitable and strategically distributed across the upper, middle, and lower Yom River basin. The projects prioritize environmental protection through environmental impact assessments, fish passage designs, water level management, and continuous water quality monitoring. Affected landowners will receive fair compensation according to law, and public participation is ensured at all stages.
Simultaneously, the department organized site visits to the existing Ban Doi Isaan Water Gate Project in Ang Thong Sub-district, Chiang Kham District, Phayao Province, which uses a similar approach to mitigate flooding and drought in the Ing River basin, allowing stakeholders to examine concerns and compare implementation methods.
