Hua Na Dam

Dam in Kanthararom, Sisaket

Location of Hua Na Dam in Thailand

CountryThailandLocationKanthararom, SisaketOpening date1994Construction cost2.5 billion bahtOwner(s)Electricity Generating Authority of ThailandDam and spillwaysType of damCement Irrigation DamImpoundsHuay Kaosan RiverHeight17 m (56 ft)Length207 m (679 ft)ReservoirCreatesHua Na Dam ReservoirTotal capacity65 m³Power StationOperator(s)Royal Irrigation Department

Hua Na Dam (Thai: เขื่อนหัวนา, RTGS: Khuean Hua Na, pronounced [kʰɯ̀a̯n hǔa̯ nāː]), in Kanthararom District, Sisaket Province, is the biggest dam in the Khong-Chi-Mun project in Thailand. It is close to the Rasi Salai Dam, which has been inoperable for over 10 years because of extreme salinity. Hua Na sits atop the same salt dome as Rasi Salai and may face the same fate if the gates are ever closed. Its height is 17 metres (56 ft), while its length is 207 metres (679 ft). It has 14 gates and a catchment area of 115,000,000 cubic metres (93,000 acre⋅ft). The reservoir stretches for 90 kilometres (56 mi), while its surface area is unknown. The reservoir has a manageable storage capacity of 64.98 million cubic metres.^[1]

It exceeded its budget of 1.5 billion baht, costing 2.5 billion.

Opponents note that no Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was completed before construction, leaving concerns about flooding and salinity unresolved. Clay resources, which provide a primary occupation for many villagers, would be endangered if the dam gates were closed.^[2]

References

^ Worarak, Sanoh (6 August 2018). "Discharge rate increased at Hua Na dam in Si Sa Ket". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
^ Xieng Kon Issan News Report^{[full citation needed]}