A STUDY OF POTENTIAL FLOOD RETENTION AREAS FOR STORING WATER USE IN THE DRY PERIOD IN UPPER CHI RIVER BASIN

Abstract

Bank overflows of excess water in rivers are likely to increase in the future. Developing flood plains on the both sides of river, to support flood water systematically, was another alternative to water management. Therefore, this research selected the Upper Chi River Basin from the Chi River in Chaiyaphum Province to the point of confluence with Nam Phong River at the end of Ubolratana dam in Khon Kaen Province as the study area. This research focused on the current potential analysis of the flood retention areas to mitigate the flood using a dynamic model. Water resource systems were analyzed to assess guidelines to develop areas for flood water retention and stored water for using in the dry season. Areas to support flood water that suitable for development were selected. The analysis results showed that the flood retention areas with the potential to support water to mitigate the floods were 23 sites with the storage capacity of 240.64 mcm. In addition, this area is prone to flooding during September to October every year. Therefore, it is proposed to shift the in-season rice cultivation to the period from April to September. The water stored in the flood retention areas of the previous multi-year water season is using for this crop. The short-lived field crops such as maize is able to plant during November to March.