Don Sahong Dam

Don Sahong Dam
Location of Don Sahong Dam
Country	Laos
Location	Champasak Province
Coordinates	13°56′37.87″N 105°57′22.62″E / 13.9438528°N 105.9562833°E / 13.9438528; 105.9562833Coordinates: 13°56′37.87″N 105°57′22.62″E / 13.9438528°N 105.9562833°E / 13.9438528; 105.9562833
Status	Proposed
Owner(s)	Mega First Corporation Berhad IJM Corporation
Dam and spillways
Height	32 m (105 ft)
Impounds	Mekong
Power station
Maximum capacity	360 MW
As of 6 February 2011

The Don Sahong is a proposed hydroelectric dam on the Mekong River in Siphandone area of Champasak Province, southern Laos. It is located less than two kilometers upstream of the Laos–Cambodia border.^[1]

History

In March 2006, the Government of Laos signed a memorandum of understanding with the Malaysian engineering and construction company Mega First Corporation Berhad for a feasibility study of the project.^[1][2] In February 2008, a project development agreement was signed.^[1] In June 2008, Mega First Corporation Berhad formed a joint venture with IJM Corporation for the project development. Mega First Corporation Berhad owns 70% of shares in the joint venture while IJM Corporation has 30%.^[3]

Description

The Don Sahong Dam would be located at the downstream end of the Hou Sahong channel between Don Sahong and Don Sadam islands. The dam's height would be between 30 and 32 metres (98 and 105 ft). It would have a capacity of 240–360 MW. Most of the produced electricity would be exported to Thailand and Cambodia.^[1]

Impact

According to International Rivers, the dam would have a seriously impact to fish migration.^[1][4] However extensive project studies over the last few years have demonstrated that the current major impact to the Mekong fishery in this region is over-fishing pressure, with catches declining markedly over the last 10 years or so. The studies show the project to have a beneficial effect on the fishery as it will open up and improve two substantial water channels either side of the Hou Sahong that are currently blocked either with natural barriers or fish traps, thus allowing improved fish passage over the current situation.^{[citation needed]}

According to the World Wide Fund for Nature, the Don Sahong Dam would threaten the Veun Nyang/Anlong Cheuteal area of Irrawaddy dolphin, Laos' only permanent dolphin population.^[1] However the project development studies have fully accounted for protection of the dolphin population and will include construction measures to fully isolate the works from the river. With the dolphin pool over 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) from the project site, potential impacts on the dolphin population are mitigated.^{[citation needed]}

The project would also reduce the flows to the Khone Phapheng Falls.^[1] An agreed minimum flow would be given first priority. The Falls are important as a tourist activity and the agreed minimum will include the consideration of providing good viewing conditions, noting that the Guidebook for Tourism published by Dept of Geology-Mines Lao PDR identifies that the Falls look most impressive under lower dry season flows.^{[citation needed]}

As the Siphandone area is considered as a Ramsar site, construction of the dam would threaten its eligibility for the Ramsar status.^[1]

Reference

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h} "The Don Sahong Hydropower Project" (PDF). International Rivers. September 2008. http://www.internationalrivers.org/files/Don%20Sahong%20Fact%20sheet%20Sept%202008%20ENGLISH.pdf. Retrieved 2011-02-06. 
2. ^ "Mega First to invest in Laos electricity project". Intellasia News Services. 2006-03-30. http://www.intellasia.net/news/articles/regional/111114658.shtml. Retrieved 2011-02-06. 
3. ^ "IJM to undertake Laos hydropower project with MFCB". The Egde Daily. Intellasia News Services. 2008-06-13. http://www.intellasia.net/news/articles/regional/111245125.shtml. Retrieved 2011-02-06. 
4. ^ Nette, Andrew (2008-03-28). "Opting For The Big Dam". Inter Press Service. http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=41766. Retrieved 2011-02-06.