Sangkae River

The Sangkae River (Khmer: ស្ទឹងសង្កែ, Stung Sangkae; also spelled Stung Sangké or Stung Sangkhae) is one of the main rivers in Battambang Province in north western Cambodia. The Sangkae River is approximately 250 kilometres (160 mi) long.[1] It flows through 6 districts and 27 communes in Battambang province before draining into the Tonlé Sap lake.

Sangkae River
ស្ទឹងសង្កែ
Location
CountryCambodia
ProvinceBattambang
Physical characteristics
Length250 km (160 mi)

The average depth of the river, based on raw data provided by the Battambang's Department of Water Resource (2013) is during the dry season 2.35 metres (7.7 ft) and during the wet season 6.79 metres (22.3 ft).

Geography

The Sangkae river flows through several villages and towns in the province, the most important one being Battambang city.

Sangkae river

The river splits in two branches at the level of Khwaeng pagoda, 5 km (3.1 mi) south of Battambang city centre. The smaller fork river flows through Sangkae village, 6 km (3.73 mi) east of Battambang city centre, giving its name to Sangkae District. The main branch of the river reaches the Tonlé Sap floodplain around 5 km (3.1 mi) downstream of Preak Trob village, and merges with Serei Sophorn river, in Prey Chas. The two river branches merge again in Thvang village.

The river finally reaches the Tonlé Sap lake through the western Tonlé Sap Biosphere Reserve, near Prek Toal.

Economy

Fishery

The river provides access to the Tonlé Sap lake, as well as fishery resources for local people. The fishing techniques used by locals include the use of fish traps placed on the river banks,[2] as well as fishing nets.

Industry

The Seksak Hydropower plant is located on the river near Traeng, approximately 45 km (28 mi) south-west of Battambang city. The dam forms an artificial lake that hosts a tourism resort. However, in 2015, the lake level rise due to the dam was considered a menace to the touristic activities by local people.[3]

Ecology

Fishery ban

Industrial fishing is usually banned during the peak of the wet season (June to October), as it is the spawning season.[4]

Pollution

Several industrial sites are located along the Sangkae river. Some of the plants can pose a threat to the river ecosystems.

In 2021, the province authorities investigated the potential chemical pollution of the river, after dead fish were found downstream.[5]

In 2023, a company was fined $500,000 for disposing liquid waste in the river.[6] Another company had a chemical waste leakage the same year, the Provincial Administration declared on August 4th.[7]

Transport

A ferry line connects Battambang city to Siem Reap, via the Sangkae river and the Tonlé Sap lake. The trip takes between 5 and 6 hours.

References
  1. 1997 CIA map.
  2. Chhut, Chheana (2021). "Arrow Shaped Fish Traps Along Stung Sangkae River".
  3. "ទេសចរបារម្ភខ្លាចបាត់ឈ្មោះរមណីយដ្ឋានសេកសកដោយសារទំនប់វារីអគ្គិសនី|Cambodia News | Khmer News - ពត៌មានខ្មែរ" (in Khmer). Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  4. Meng, Seavmey (May 23, 2023). "Freshwater Fishing to Close for Spawn Season". Cambodianess. p. 1.
  5. Sao Phal Niseiy (2021). "The Authorities Investigate a Liquid Leak from a Chinese Company Plant in Battambang Province".
  6. Teng Yalirozy (2023). "A Company Is Fined for Dumping Liquid Waste in the Sangke River".
  7. Chantha, Chhum; Seavmey, Meng (5 August 2023). "Polluted Water in Sangke River Found to Be Liquid Waste from a Factory". Cambodianess. p. 1.


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