Shrinking Pattaya Reservoirs

[Gary 4,119]

Whatever happened to the huge pipeline they were building from the Bang Pakong river. I well remember seeing the work along a highway going on several years ago. At the time, I scoffed at the pipeline but maybe they knew their business and could see the future.

[forcebwithu 4,853]

11 hours ago, Gary said:

Whatever happened to the huge pipeline they were building from the Bang Pakong river. I well remember seeing the work along a highway going on several years ago. At the time, I scoffed at the pipeline but maybe they knew their business and could see the future.

The problem here is the news reporting, at least in English, of infrastructure projects is pretty sparse. Might be because topics like the price of pussy are more popular.

One of the graphics in the Eastwater report mentions plans to divert water from Bang Pa Kong River when reservoir levels drop below a set level. That would imply the pipeline has been completed.

[Bullfrog 2,224]

Are there any restrictions currently in place?

The reason I ask is that I was using my neighbour's washing machine this morning, which is next to their water storage tank. At 8am it started refilling and by the splashing noises it seemed quite low so I doubt that it was a normal cock and ball controlled refill..

Whenever I see them I'll ask of course, but maybe they don't know...

[forcebwithu 4,853]

28 minutes ago, Bullfrog said:

Are there any restrictions currently in place?

The reason I ask is that I was using my neighbour's washing machine this morning, which is next to their water storage tank. At 8am it started refilling and by the splashing noises it seemed quite low so I doubt that it was a normal cock and ball controlled refill..

Whenever I see them I'll ask of course, but maybe they don't know...

No restrictions that I'm aware of. There has been quite a lot of work going on around here laying new pipes, so it may have been a disruption of the service while they hooked up the old to the new.

[Bullfrog 2,224]

19 minutes ago, forcebwithu said:

No restrictions that I'm aware of. There has been quite a lot of work going on around here laying new pipes, so it may have been a disruption of the service while they hooked up the old to the new.

I have just refilled my water bottle from their filter machine and it looked a bit yellow so I chucked it away and swished out the bottle. The next refill looked clear (I boil it for coffee anyway) so you could just be right, as is normal of course!

[Gary 4,119]

Our condo complex (Soi Chaiyapruk) has always had water with no restrictions. I'm not sure where the water comes from but it is amazingly soft. That makes me think that they draw water from the huge swamp behind the complex. Compared to our village upcountry, the water is so hard that the shower head clogs up with minerals on a regular basis.

[forcebwithu 4,853]

Mabprachan Reservoir is looking better than it did this time last year (link to last year's post).

Work has started on extension to the park area on the north side of the reservoir.

The swim platform for the first time in a long time is floating again.

Can barely see the floating pump house with all the high weeds.

Edited May 4, 2021 by forcebwithu

[forcebwithu 4,853]

Over at Huai Chak Nok Reservoir I'd say there's only a slight improvement over last year (link to last year's post).

 

[forcebwithu 4,853]

Almost three months since the last update. I was worried Huai Chak Nok Reservoir would be closed due to the latest round of Covid restrictions, but luckily that proved not to be the case.

Not easy to see in this pic, but on the west end they're building a structure.

Don't know what they're doing here. Enlarging the capacity of the reservoir maybe.

Perhaps this sign explains the project.

[forcebwithu 4,853]

Mabprachan Reservoir on the other hand was closed, so only got a couple of distant shots.

[midlifecrisis 4,048]

That is nice to see!

[jacko 8,814]

14 hours ago, forcebwithu said:

Mabprachan Reservoir on the other hand was closed, so only got a couple of distant shots

I wish I could figure out why.... 

All diversions have been stopped this time round, when cycling about the lake should be as safe a thing as one can do... more so than going to a little convenience shop. Nice to be back into cooler weather with some rain. 

[forcebwithu 4,853]

2 hours ago, jacko said:

I wish I could figure out why.... 

All diversions have been stopped this time round, when cycling about the lake should be as safe a thing as one can do... more so than going to a little convenience shop. Nice to be back into cooler weather with some rain. 

It was an enjoyable ride yesterday afternoon. Normally go out midmorning to avoid the heat of the day, but yesterday's cloud cover and the occasional spit of rain was perfect riding weather.

As to why the shut down the bike path, it's probably because the bike path is part of the Mabprachan park system and the edict from on high says all parks must be closed.

Lazy policy making, IMHO. If I were emperor I'd keep beaches and parks open and instruct my police force to break up and tell any groups of greater than N to move along. I'd also make this the national song.

 

[nkped 1,208]

6 hours ago, forcebwithu said:

As to why the shut down the bike path, it's probably because the bike path is part of the Mabprachan park system and the edict from on high says all parks must be closed.

Lazy policy making, IMHO. If I were emperor I'd keep beaches and parks open and instruct my police force to break up and tell any groups of greater than N to move along. 

 

Or close at 6 or 7pm if they feel the need for a bright line rule.

[nkped 1,208]

On 7/25/2021 at 9:05 AM, forcebwithu said:

As to why the shut down the bike path, it's probably because the bike path is part of the Mabprachan park system and the edict from on high says all parks must be closed.

Lazy policy making, IMHO. If I were emperor I'd keep beaches and parks open and instruct my police force to break up and tell any groups of greater than N to move along. I'd also make this the national song.

 

Drove past it a bit after 6pm.  More than a couple of bikers and walkers out on the paths.  The barriers and signs are still up.  I'm a little too visible so I don't think I will be pressing my luck.

[maik 444]

Seasonal rain brings water-starved Pattaya reservoir back to life

By Pattaya Mail September 2, 2021

https://www.pattayamail.com/news/seasonal-rain-brings-water-starved-pattaya-reservoir-back-to-life-370168

[forcebwithu 4,853]

Reservoir update time. First up is Huai Chak Nok Reservoir.

Anybody up for a game of golf. The greens sure look in rough shape. 

Last update they were digging out this area.

[forcebwithu 4,853]

Mabprachan Reservoir is looking in better shape compared to anytime in the last couple of years.

Ongoing work on the park extension.

Edited September 8, 2021 by forcebwithu

[keyman 1,413]

Higher water levels due to less of those pesky tourists drinking it!! ?

[jacko 8,814]

1 hour ago, keyman said:

Higher water levels due to less of those pesky tourists drinking it!! ?

And flushing things down the toilet 6 times a night!

[forcebwithu 4,853]

Rainfall has been good this year. First time in quite a few years the cumulative total is tracking the average.

source: http://www.pattayaweather.net/

I also see a website I bookmarked years earlier has been updated to show almost real time reservoir levels. For Mabprachan it's now at 103%.

source: http://www.thaiwater.net/water

Edited October 6, 2021 by forcebwithu

[forcebwithu 4,853]

Eight months since the last update, so about time I got out there again and checked the reservoir levels. No surprise with lack of tourists and a decent amount of rain the reservoirs are in great shape. First up, Huai Chak Nok Reservoir.

The side reservoir that was being used by a jet ski business is full, but no more jet ski business.

The dredged out pond on the right is new. No idea what that is used for.

The dogs were the smart ones. Those that bothered to open an eye probably had a good laugh at the stupid human passing by on a bike in the heat.

Overflow basin that's been dry for years.

I'm hoping the work they're doing on the far shore will include a bike path. There was a time only a few years ago we could ride a dirt path along that shore on our mtn bikes.

[forcebwithu 4,853]

Next up, Mabprachan Reservoir.

On the far shore, the white structure is the water intake for the reservoir. No more having to keep dredging a deeper channel to feed water to the pumps.

For many years there's been a poorly maintained dirt track by the water filtration plant. Looks like they have plans to commercialize the spot.

Was surprised to see the work going on to clear this area. Hopefully it'll be another addition to the Mabprachan Reservoir Park.

A new side path to the main bike path with nice looking landscaping.

They used to have this as a floating swim platform, but now makes a handy path to the water.

The water combined with the heat was just too tempting not to go for a swim.

Much refreshed continued making my way around the reservoir.

I was happy to see they cleared the over grown vegetation so I could once again get a clear picture of the floating pump station.

[forcebwithu 4,853]

Had a look this morning at the state of the reservoirs at the end of the rainy season. The news is good. First time in I can't remember how many years, maybe nine, that I've seen the reservoirs full.

First set of pics showing Huai Chak Nok Reservoir.

Looks like one of the channels they dug during the drought is now being used as a fish farm.

The prevailing winds has pushed all the floating vegetation to the south end of the reservoir.

Closer to the north side it looks like they strung a cable across to keep the vegetation from clogging the new park on the north end when the winds shift around.

Something to behold, the water level is up to the spillway edge for the first time in donkey years.

On the east side they now have an outlet pipe which I believe connects to water sources south of Pattaya. That gives the water management dept the option of pumping water into the reservoir when things get dire again.

Nice house with some great views going up on the southwest side.

Unfortunately the view right now will be a sea of green.

There is now a beautiful park on the north end of the reservoir which you can read about in this topic.

https://forums.pattayatalk.com/topic/69095-bike-paths-routes-around-pattaya/?do=findComment&comment=1318769

[forcebwithu 4,853]

Mabprachan Reservoir is looking equally as good.

Like Huai Chak Nok Reservoir, the spillway on Mabprachan now has running water again.

Can't ever remember seeing the old boat house flooded out.

Looks like they're quarrying gravel, which when they're done will further increase the reservoir capacity.

The side footpath on the north side is now completed and has several exercise stations along its length.

Searching for coins in the kratongs.

I remember not long ago the pumping station was sucking mud, no longer though.

The new Dollhouse Darkside GC on the east side of the reservoir.