Shrinking Pattaya Reservoirs

[Bullfrog 2,224]

Sustained heavy rain over on the Darkside now..

[jacko 8,807]

8 hours ago, Bullfrog said:

Sustained heavy rain over on the Darkside now..

Good, quite a storm last night but in my area it seemed to be more wind than wet. I have a large bowl that used to contain fish that tells me not much fell here last night. 

[nkped 1,208]

On 4/21/2020 at 9:01 PM, forcebwithu said:

At least one region is looking into tapping the aquifer for water.

New study into use of huge aquifer in Isan

NAKHON RATCHASIMA: A new study will explore ways of bringing up water from a huge underground aquifer for use in four northeastern provinces - Nakhon Ratchasima, Chaiyaphum, Buri Ram and Surin.

The artesian basin stores about 16,000 million cubic metres of groundwater and was found relatively recently, a Groundwater Resources Department official said on Wednesday.

The Nakhon Ratchasima-based Zone 5 Groundwater Resources Office is responsible for groundwater use in the four provinces.

Office director Surat Buaphan said that if the groundwater can be brought up it would be a boon for farmers in the Northeast who rely on rainfall during the wet season for agriculture. Their land lies unused during the dry season due to lack of water.

Of the four provinces under his office, Nakhon Ratchasima, Chaiyaphum and Buri Ram have already been declared drought-hit zones this year.

Surin is not included as it has a sufficient supply of surface water, thanks to rain brought by former tropical storm Podul.

In Nakhon Ratchasima, artesian wells have been sunk at all villages so it was quite certain there would be sufficient water for consumption this dry season, he said.

Groundwater from artesian wells at more than 400 schools is being processed for use as drinking water, and can also be used by people from nearby communities, he said.

Of the estimated 16,000 million cubic metres of water in the aquifer, only about 11% of it is being pumped for use. The department study will explore ways of making the most use of it.

That's how much of the world gets its fresh water.  Don't know how much it would cost to dig the wells and install the pumps for a major city's water supply or how long it would take.

Edited April 24, 2020 by nkped

[forcebwithu 4,834]

We had a bit of rain the last few days, so let's see what effect, if any it had on the Mabprachan Puddle.

In a nutshell, no effect. And if anything, the level is lower than the last update on the 16th.

This pump is new since the last update. But it wasn't running this morning.

When I made my way over to the pumping station I was a surprised to hear the pumps running. But looking at the channel feeding the pumps I could see no movement of water, nor could I feel water moving through the big pipes exiting the pumps. My guess is they're periodically running the motors to knock off the rust and dust, but not pumping any water.

Back in September 2015 they sucked this area dry. This time around they probably figure it's not worth the effort for the small amount of water left here.

Still watering the grass in the park.

Edited April 29, 2020 by forcebwithu

[nkped 1,208]

We've had water continuously on the dark side for a couple of days.

[forcebwithu 4,834]

The Eastern Water Resources Dept released their 24 April weekly water situation report (link). This chart shows only a small decrease of .8 MCM from the previous week.

The chart below however reports a decrease of 9.69 MCM which doesn't not match the week to week numbers in the above chart. In the end it probably doesn't matter as the result is the same, the reservoirs are out of usable water.

[aj 62]

? Mother in law tells us it is raining everyday now in Naklua.

Have not heard anything outside if there. Any of it making it to the reservoirs?

[Bullfrog 2,224]

1 hour ago, aj said:

? Mother in law tells us it is raining everyday now in Naklua.

Have not heard anything outside if there. Any of it making it to the reservoirs?

There has been a few days of short heavy downfalls and a couple of days of sustained drizzle ....None of which I expect to increase reservoir levels but may help reduce consumption....

[forcebwithu 4,834]

Today's update is of the Huai Chak Nok Reservoir.
Small recreational pond that's dammed off from the rest of the reservoir is lower.

And the reservoir itself is a lot lower.

Comparison shot from one month ago on 13 April.

The spirits patiently awaiting the return of the water.

Edited May 12, 2020 by forcebwithu

[midlifecrisis 4,047]

Still drought conditions?

https://www.climatestotravel.com/climate/thailand/pattaya

Pattaya - Average precipitation

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Prec.(mm)	15	15	55	65	150	120	95	100	205	215	70	10	1115
Prec.(in)	0.6	0.6	2.2	2.6	5.9	4.7	3.7	3.9	8.1	8.5	2.8	0.4	43.9
Days	1	3	4	6	12	11	11	12	17	18	10	1	106

[forcebwithu 4,834]

1 hour ago, midlifecrisis said:

Still drought conditions?

https://www.climatestotravel.com/climate/thailand/pattaya

Pattaya - Average precipitation

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Prec.(mm)	15	15	55	65	150	120	95	100	205	215	70	10	1115
Prec.(in)	0.6	0.6	2.2	2.6	5.9	4.7	3.7	3.9	8.1	8.5	2.8	0.4	43.9
Days	1	3	4	6	12	11	11	12	17	18	10	1	106

Looking better for this year.

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

[midlifecrisis 4,047]

3 hours ago, forcebwithu said:

Looking better for this year.

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

It appears that April allowed you to catch up for the year. Hopefully the next six months will be at least as wet as average. From what I see in your photos, it might take a couple of years of average rainfall to get reservoirs back to normal. Certainly demand is way down now and will likely continue to be. That should help as well.

We had a similar drought in Northern California. Then one year we got hammered and the reservoirs all filled. My daughter tells me it is drought again. Even Oregon and Washington are below normal for the season but nothing like California and certainly nowhere near Pattaya.

[forcebwithu 4,834]

13 hours ago, midlifecrisis said:

It appears that April allowed you to catch up for the year. Hopefully the next six months will be at least as wet as average. From what I see in your photos, it might take a couple of years of average rainfall to get reservoirs back to normal. Certainly demand is way down now and will likely continue to be. That should help as well.

We had a similar drought in Northern California. Then one year we got hammered and the reservoirs all filled. My daughter tells me it is drought again. Even Oregon and Washington are below normal for the season but nothing like California and certainly nowhere near Pattaya.

Just one good two or three day monsoon downpour will be enough to fill the reservoirs here. See the post linked below from 2015.

 

[forcebwithu 4,834]

This month's update on the Mabprachan Reservoir.

Weeds are higher

Water level unchanged

Weeds now poking up in the shallow areas

Pumps are gone

A few dead tree pics

The spring fed stream is still flowing

Used to be able to ride the bike across the lake bed at this point. Need a machete now to get through.

There are some nice, quiet, scenic shady spots on the trails around the reservoir.

A sea of green

[jacko 8,807]

Had a lot of rain yesterday in my area, garden needs cutting and I could do a back-wash on the pool!

[jacko 8,807]

Again last night was very heavy and persistent rain in my area, and looking at the radar map it looks widespread.Woken up by thunderstorms at 1am, and it is still raining this morning. I expect floods in town and my estimate is 4-5 inches of rain fell (12-13cm). Lakes should have benefited. 

Edited May 30, 2020 by jacko

[midlifecrisis 4,047]

49 minutes ago, jacko said:

Again last night was very heavy and persistent rain in my area, and looking at the radar map it looks widespread.Woken up by thunderstorms at 1am, and it is still raining this morning. I expect floods in town and my estimate is 4-5 inches or rain fell (12-13cm). Lakes should have benefited. 

How many storms like those you have chronicled lately to fill those lakes in your estimation? What I see is scary. Our dammed lakes in California looked like that but we had a backup water table. 

[Bullfrog 2,224]

50 minutes ago, jacko said:

Again last night was very heavy and persistent rain in my area, and looking at the radar map it looks widespread.Woken up by thunderstorms at 1am, and it is still raining this morning. I expect floods in town and my estimate is 4-5 inches or rain fell (12-13cm). Lakes should have benefited. 

Yep ...it is a constant shower at the moment ...not that hard but hard enough to stop me going out to my wine shop ...

Thursday night was worse over this way..

But added together surely there must be some improvement in the water level...

[jacko 8,807]

36 minutes ago, midlifecrisis said:

How many storms like those you have chronicled lately to fill those lakes in your estimation? What I see is scary. Our dammed lakes in California looked like that but we had a backup water table. 

I have no idea, I can say if they had the same rainfall there, their level should be somewhat higher. Trouble is, unlike my pool, a lake gets wider/bigger as it gets deeper. 

[Bullfrog 2,224]

The Power of Pattaya Talk.!!!

 

I just popped out and it is now down to a slight drizzle and the "storm drain" that handles runoff from Khao Talo is very low and very slow. I'm gonna have a quick squaddie wash then should be at my wine shop when it opens....

[midlifecrisis 4,047]

1 hour ago, jacko said:

I have no idea, I can say if they had the same rainfall there, their level should be somewhat higher. Trouble is, unlike my pool, a lake gets wider/bigger as it gets deeper. 

Very true. Is this unprecedented in your time there? If so perspective would naturally be lacking. I do hope you all have a rainy rainy season. This virus in that sense is "helpful". A poor choice of words admittedly.

[midlifecrisis 4,047]

1 hour ago, Bullfrog said:

The Power of Pattaya Talk.!!!

 

I just popped out and it is now down to a slight drizzle and the "storm drain" that handles runoff from Khao Talo is very low and very slow. I'm gonna have a quick squaddie wash then should be at my wine shop when it opens....

Is that your business? Or just your favorite. I like wine. Of which do you speak?

[jacko 8,807]

35 minutes ago, midlifecrisis said:

Very true. Is this unprecedented in your time there? If so perspective would naturally be lacking. I do hope you all have a rainy rainy season. This virus in that sense is "helpful". A poor choice of words admittedly.

Is what unprecedented, the drought or the heavy rain?

The drought has been exceptional due to poor rains last year, the current rain, well might be slightly early in the season but is far from unusual. 

Down to a drizzle now but the skies rumble on.

https://weather.tmd.go.th/svp120Loop.php

[midlifecrisis 4,047]

38 minutes ago, jacko said:

Is what unprecedented, the drought or the heavy rain?

The drought has been exceptional due to poor rains last year, the current rain, well might be slightly early in the season but is far from unusual. 

Down to a drizzle now but the skies rumble on.

https://weather.tmd.go.th/svp120Loop.php

Sorry, the drought. I assumed you all have a lot of rain from time I have spent in the tropics.

Edited May 30, 2020 by midlifecrisis

[forcebwithu 4,834]

The problem with the current storms rumbling through is the heavy rain is very localized. We need a good, wide area downpour lasting multiple hours, or even better a day or two, to have a noticeable effect on the reservoir levels.

This site is a good source for current and historical rainfall amounts.

http://www.pattayaweather.net/Pattaya-Month.html

Edited to add: Looking at the rainfall amounts I see April was above average, but for May we're below average at 71 mm vs an average of 155 mm.

Edited May 30, 2020 by forcebwithu