Location: 17°58'-18°03'N, 103°59'-104°02'E; extending up to 10 km north of the village of Ban Pho Mak Khaeng, Seka District, Nong Khai Province.

Area: 1,290 ha.

Altitude: 160m.

Biogeographical Province: 4.10.4.

Wetland type: 14 & 19.

Description of site: A large, permanent lake, approximately 10 km from north to south and 1.5 km from east to west. Two-thirds of the area (910 ha) is open water. There are a few vegetated islands in the lake, some of which support trees, and 380 ha of marshland at the northern end. The outflow is at the south end of the lake; water releases are controlled by a sluice, and under normal circumstances, a high water level is maintained. Most of the lake is 0.5-1.0m deep, although the maximum depth is about 6m. The lake is surrounded by cultivation, with the principal human settlements at the southern tip.

Climatic conditions: Tropical monsoonal climate with an average annual rainfall of 1,367 mm (range 929-1,998 mm), 87.5% of which falls during the southwest monsoon from May to October. The mean annual temperature is 26.8°C (maximum 43.9°C, minimum 2.5°C). The climate is characterized by a short cool season and a longer, hotter dry season.

Principal vegetation: Extensive beds of Cyperus spp, Eleocharis sp and Nelumbo nucifera, with smaller areas of taller reeds and Scirpus grossus. Some Eucalyptus trees have been planted along the western shore of the lake. Adjacent areas are chiefly under cultivation, although there are a few small patches of dry evergreen woodland, bamboo and forest fallows. There are also about 100 ha of primary evergreen woodland dominated by Diplerocarpus alatus at Don Sawan and a neighbouring area, at the northern end of the lake.

Land tenure: The wetland is state owned and open to public use; surrounding areas are mainly private farmland and villages.

Conservation measures taken: The site was established as a Non-Hunting Area in 1982.

Conservation measures proposed: The site should be surveyed at regular intervals during the winter months to determine whether it supports any appreciable populations of migratory waterfowl, and during the wet season in order to determine the breeding bird community.

Land use: Fishing, chiefly using nets and traps; cultivation of rice (one crop of wet-season rice per year) and cassava in surrounding areas.

Possible changes in land use: There is a strong likelihood of increased tourism and recreational use at the site.
Disturbances and threats: Fishing is probably a major source of indirect disturbance, limiting the usage of the site by waterfowl. There is also some illegal hunting of waterfowl.

Economic and social values: The site could have considerable amenity value. The lake is stocked with common food fish species and the fishery is of local importance.

Fauna: Some 200 Mekong Giant Catfish Pangasianodon gigas have been released in the lake by the Department of Fisheries. At least 300 egrets winter at the site, together with large numbers of Ardeola bacchus. Duck numbers were estimated at a minimum of 3,000 in January 1986. The principal species were Dendrocygna javanica, Nettapus coromandelianus, Anas acuta and A. querquedula. Other species recorded included Porphrio porphyrio, Gallinula chloropus and Hydrophasianus chirurgus. There has been one sighting of a pelican Pelecanus sp.

Special floral values: Not known, but probably of considerable interest. The site supports one of the last fragments of lowland evergreen forest in the entire northeast region of the country.

Research and facilities: A preliminary survey of the site was made prior to its establishment as a Non-Hunting Area. A further visit was made by Jira Jintanugool in January 1987. Some accommodation is available at the headquarters of the Non-Hunting Area.

Source: Jira Jintanugool and Philip D. Round.

SBK1W wrote:Maybe I can go kayaking on the lake...