Jump to content

Shrinking Pattaya Reservoirs


forcebwithu

Recommended Posts

3 hours ago, Painter said:

And just what is a full rainmaking operation? 

Thailand has a Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.  It began as a project of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.  From the Bangkok Post:   The gift that keeps on giving The late King's initiative finds new use   It is a system of weather modification that uses chemicals to seed clouds.

Thai artificial rainmaking operations to begin sooner to fight drought

Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-10 20:43:17|Editor: Shi Yinglun

Quote

BANGKOK, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Thai Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives on Friday told reporters that it has assigned the rainmaking division to start artificial rain-making operations sooner this year as drought is spreading fast in the dry season.

The ministry's Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation is now conducting maintenance work for aircraft and training personnel so that they can fly the skies to create rain, said deputy agriculture minister Thammanat Prompao.

"The artificial rain making missions will start on February 17, sooner than the normal schedule on March 1," said Thammanat. "The operations will cover 25 river basins across the country."

He also said that thorough check-up and maintenance of aircraft involving 26 rain-making planes will be completed before the end of January.

Surasee Kittimonthon, the director-general of the Royal Rainmaking and Agriculture Aviation Department said that in the meantime, five aircraft are operational for the missions to create artificial rain in the areas, affected by drought and ultra-fine dust air pollution.

Flight trainings are being undertaken before the beginning of the mission to fight drought this year, the deputy minister said.

Evil

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Evil Penevil said:

It is a system of weather modification that uses chemicals to seed clouds.

Fills me with horror to consider what sort of chemicals might end up raining down on us! We probably won't understand until a few years down the line when everyone gets sick.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, Bazle said:

Fills me with horror to consider what sort of chemicals might end up raining down on us! We probably won't understand until a few years down the line when everyone gets sick.

The most common chemicals used for cloud seeding include silver iodide, potassium iodide and dry ice (solid carbon dioxide). Liquid propane, which expands into a gas, has also been used. This can produce ice crystals at higher temperatures than silver iodide. After promising research, the use of hygroscopic materials, such as table salt, is becoming more popular.

Cloud seeding was first tested in 1946 and has been used in Thailand for over 60 years.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_seeding

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

12 hours ago, mrcharliemofo said:

If this is true and considering where it's come from it may not be but if it's true you really do just have to shake your head at the sheer level of stupidity of some people.

https://thepattayanews.com/2020/02/17/thai-government-considering-officially-extending-songkran-holiday-this-year-to-boost-tourism/

Have they no shame. Can't believe they're even considering extending Songkran when we're in the midst of the worst drought in several decades. That's not just stupid, that's insane.

Bangkok Post article: Nine-day Songkran under consideration

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Time for the bi-weekly update of the shrinking Mabprachan Reservoir. As before, for reference purposes a screenshot of where the pics were taken.
49573336537_b3e7de0b02_b.jpg

Water Edge as of 23 Feb, 2020
49572968962_b3d4eed584_b.jpg

Pic 01: Quite a few more tree stumps exposed.
49572744071_1d0700327f_b.jpg

Pic 02
49572234313_2634731027_b.jpg

Only a small gap now in the land bridge.
49572235313_a0d0e87d90_b.jpg

Pic 03: Estimate another 1/2m drop in the water level. Probably the last time I can use this spot as a water level gauge since it looks like in another week there'll be dry land around the structure.
49572743996_17da407e87_b.jpg

Water Edge as of 23 Feb, 2020
49572969912_e70944ce7e_b.jpg

Pic 04: Innovative use of a boat's pontoon for a bridge.
49572743941_ef73b4196e_b.jpg

Pic 05: Pumps moving water from the main body to the channel leading to the pumping station.
49572969792_373b5a6a79_b.jpg

Pic 06: Thai's manning the pumps were quite helpful directing me under the outflow pipes to make my way across the land bridge.
49572743911_ba6f8e147b_b.jpg

Pic 07
49572969027_5815cfbbec_b.jpg

Pic 08: The gap in the land bridge looks a bit too deep to cross.
49572235113_c0cb4833a1_b.jpg

49572743831_142d01ab87_b.jpg

Pic 18: And indeed it was too deep. When I was on the other side of the reservoir noticed a couple of guys crossing the gap. Both were in over their heads and had to swim to the other side.
49572743316_3e8188b9d2_b.jpg

Pic 09: With most of the reservoir dried up decided to take a shortcut across what was previously lake bottom to the pumping station. Looking back towards the pumps. Area to the right is the wide mouth to the channel leading to the pumping station.
49572235028_11c3af6a67_b.jpg

49572969622_7f5bc530a6_b.jpg

49572969647_0e84e95dbb_b.jpg

Noticed another group on mtn bikes making their way across the land bridge.
49572743706_0e54030e96_b.jpg

Pic 10: Two weeks ago they had an earth retaining wall around the pumping station and were pumping water from the channel into the small pond it contained. They must have dug the channel deeper as now the pumps are gone and the retaining wall is open on both ends.
49572743696_861ec570d8_b.jpg

49572234838_28e36209e5_b.jpg

It was a mistake trying to cross the narrow bit in the above pic. Took a tentative step into the wet area and immediately sunk to mid-calf. Decided I might as well continue on and fortunately I didn't sink any deeper.
49572743631_8bf2e733a4_b.jpg

Pic 11: Nice of them to leave the pumping station gate unlocked again for me.
49572969512_26405b63a2_b.jpg

Pic 12: Looks like these guys have started a fish farm. Doesn't look like much change in the water level in this area from two weeks ago. Maybe looking at the top of the water table, in which case as long as they don't bring pumps in, they should continue to have water for their fish.
49572234708_6e80740b0e_b.jpg

49572234673_d53d3ecd99_b.jpg

Pic 13
49572969412_7d0453500c_b.jpg

Pic 14
49572743491_982c360531_b.jpg

Pic 15
49572969287_6d3bc99bae_b.jpg

Pic 16
49572234553_f31871539b_b.jpg

Pic 17
49572969247_4e9acc1e3c_b.jpg

Pic 19
49572234273_aac933cf7b_b.jpg

49572743256_f999017069_b.jpg

Pic 20
49572969182_85872016b1_b.jpg

Pic 21: The pump house in the above pic is now drawing its water from a pipe that extends a long way out to the main body of water. They might be thinking of holding the pond in reserve for when the reservoir runs dry. As mentioned in a prior post, this water is being used for the tourist trap, Flower Land. Seems to me to be a pretty selfish use of a public use/need commodity that is fast becoming scarce.
49572969112_da80359cee_b.jpg

Pic 22: A stark reminder of just how much the water level has dropped.
49572743196_8bd82ab992_b.jpg

  • Like 2
  • Thanks 1
  • Great Info 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Pattaya Water Reservoir at Mapprachan Lake at lowest level in twenty years

Interesting stat from the article...

"the reservoir hit the lowest level in twenty years at 16% left of the total volume of the lake", I think that's a fair estimate of what usable water remains.

I call BS on this statement though,
"local leaders say the volume of water they have is enough to last through May when more rain is predicted"

At current consumption levels I expect the reservoir to run out of usable water by mid-April, if not sooner.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, forcebwithu said:

Pattaya Water Reservoir at Mapprachan Lake at lowest level in twenty years

Interesting stat from the article...

"the reservoir hit the lowest level in twenty years at 16% left of the total volume of the lake", I think that's a fair estimate of what usable water remains.

I call BS on this statement though,
"local leaders say the volume of water they have is enough to last through May when more rain is predicted"

At current consumption levels I expect the reservoir to run out of usable water by mid-April, if not sooner.

I've just read that link and it'll be alright as they had the ceremony so it'll chuck it down now so we're all saved. Also they're desperate for Songkran to go ahead at all costs, going to be an interesting few weeks now to see how they're going to play it regarding the moron party ( Songkran ).

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

33 minutes ago, Painter said:

https://www.pattayamail.com/featured/cloud-seeders-said-they-made-it-rain-in-pattaya-this-year-289078

Better get those planes up.... there's clouds in that there sky, and dark ones at that!

Laughed when I read this quote from the article.
"The cloud seeders have been hampered by a lack of clouds, which Verapol said was a byproduct of windy weather."

Verapol, the director of the cloud seeding effort, should attend a few more meteorological classes to have better understanding of how, when and why clouds develop.

Current weather radar shows some storms popping up south of Pattaya. Perhaps later today we'll see some rain in Pattaya too.

svp120Loop.gif

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

Link to comment
Share on other sites

29 minutes ago, forcebwithu said:

Laughed when I read this quote from the article.
"The cloud seeders have been hampered by a lack of clouds, which Verapol said was a byproduct of windy weather."

Verapol, the director of the cloud seeding effort, should attend a few more meteorological classes to have better understanding of how, when and why clouds develop.

Current weather radar shows some storms popping up south of Pattaya. Perhaps later today we'll see some rain in Pattaya too.

svp120Loop.gif

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

Yup.... the lack of clouds excuse made me chuckle!

Wonder if they'll take credit for any rain that might fall later?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 2/25/2020 at 9:04 AM, forcebwithu said:

Pattaya Water Reservoir at Mapprachan Lake at lowest level in twenty years

Interesting stat from the article...

"the reservoir hit the lowest level in twenty years at 16% left of the total volume of the lake", I think that's a fair estimate of what usable water remains.

I call BS on this statement though,
"local leaders say the volume of water they have is enough to last through May when more rain is predicted"

At current consumption levels I expect the reservoir to run out of usable water by mid-April, if not sooner.

a lot of the so called water will be mud before it hits the pumps.  they are draining every little pond on the lake toward the pumps but i cant see that working for 30 let alone 60 days.  close by many wells are drying up too.  I for one, as a local close by, am worried.  we are setting up our pump and well system to run 30 ins on 1 hr off, in the hope that that helps it keep replenished.  all houses have 1000 litre tanks so as long as we can draw thru the day, we will turn the supply on for 2 hrs in the early morning and thats it, to top up the tanks

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, tommy dee said:

a lot of the so called water will be mud before it hits the pumps.  they are draining every little pond on the lake toward the pumps but i cant see that working for 30 let alone 60 days.  close by many wells are drying up too.  I for one, as a local close by, am worried.  we are setting up our pump and well system to run 30 ins on 1 hr off, in the hope that that helps it keep replenished.  all houses have 1000 litre tanks so as long as we can draw thru the day, we will turn the supply on for 2 hrs in the early morning and thats it, to top up the tanks

The official report on reservoir volumes list a minimum storage volume for that reason. Past a certain point, while there's still technically water in the reservoir, they'll be sucking a lot of mud along with the water.

The Eastern Water Resources dept was a bit more timely posting their weekly update. Water consumption is still at 4 million cubic meters/week, so the estimate of sucking the last drop of usable water somewhere around 17 April, if not sooner still holds true regardless of what the govt would like you to believe.
Screen Shot 02-27-20 at 12.52 PM.JPG

Screen Shot 02-27-20 at 12.51 PM.JPG

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

hoping for oyur update on this.  in an attempt to noce to be nice, i have been renovating 3 swimming pools.  and pumped water from one to another.  didnt save much in the way money i think as the pump was running 24 hrs, but will only have refilled 2 pools with a truck.  am amazed at how much is evaporating already in the sun even tho the hot season hasnt started yet, and no they arent leaking :)

as to local wells, bore holes.  ours is still holding out so the water table is still good up here above the lake.  but for how long we dont know

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, tommy dee said:

hoping for oyur update on this.  in an attempt to noce to be nice, i have been renovating 3 swimming pools.  and pumped water from one to another.  didnt save much in the way money i think as the pump was running 24 hrs, but will only have refilled 2 pools with a truck.  am amazed at how much is evaporating already in the sun even tho the hot season hasnt started yet, and no they arent leaking 🙂

as to local wells, bore holes.  ours is still holding out so the water table is still good up here above the lake.  but for how long we dont know

I'll get out and do a proper photo recon of Mabprachan early next week. Eastern Water Resources is late once again in posting their weekly update. Now two weeks behind.

To hold you over until my next photo recon, here's a couple pics I snapped and the end of yesterday's group ride.

P3060090.jpg

P3060093.jpg

P3060095.jpg

P3060096.jpg

P3060098.jpg

  • Like 2
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

untitled-3518.jpg

untitled-3519.jpg

untitled-3521.jpg

Leakage of water on Beach Road.  Appears to be emanating from  somewhere under the footpath but see damage on bottom left hand side of photograph 3 where there is enough leaking water to damage the road surface.

Quite some time ago before UK water authorities got their act together there was quite a fuss about them failing to control water leaks and maintain the pipes and network.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Eastern Water Resources dept has finally gotten around to updating their Weekly Water Situation report. The last report I posted was on 21 February, and the combined reservoir level stood then at 63.15 million cubic meters (MCM). Their 28 February report had the level at 58.76 MCM, and the latest report, 6 March reports the level is now at 55.42 MCM. That works out to a water consumption rate of 3.9 MCM/week.

We now have about 23.7 MCM of usable water left in the reservoirs,  or about 6 weeks of water left. My estimate of 17 April as the day the taps run dry still holds true.

I'm heading out now to snap pics of the Mabprachan Reservoir meadows and mud hole. Will post a photo update of Mabprachan later today.

6 Mar 2.JPG

6 Mar 1.JPG

source: https://www.eastwater.com/en/Customer/WeeklyWaterSituation

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

As promised, the latest photo update of the shrinking Mabprachan Reservoir. You can see in the screenshot below today's ride spent a lot of time riding areas that used to be underwater, but is now bone dry lakebed.
49642881371_25b5361370_b.jpg

First up is the southern edge of the water.
49643074252_5308ed487b_b.jpg

Pic 01: Still a bit of water, but not much, around the overflow structure.
49642276333_f277641aa1_b.jpg

Northern edge of the water.
49642276298_aba4d226f1_b.jpg

Pic 02: Panoramic shot looking east at what's left of the main body of water in the reservoir.
49642796561_fe7b0355b7_b.jpg

Pic 03: Pumping water from the main body to the channel that leads to the pumping station.
49642797136_bb204bbb8e_b.jpg

Pic 04: Draining the last bit of water from this area.
49642797101_59ffae805e_b.jpg

49642797141_cd32a4c733_b.jpg

49642276228_952b896a3a_b.jpg

49642797081_90cb7147c4_b.jpg

Pic 05: North of the pumping station there is no more water to be had.
49642276063_a51ddd7dfd_b.jpg

49642797021_3431741596_b.jpg

Pic 06
49642275673_1d62a072b2_b.jpg

Pic 07
49643074342_2207b61538_b.jpg

Pic 08
49642796976_6a580c0cf1_b.jpg

Pic 09
49642796971_642a5b1199_b.jpg

Pic 10
49642796916_f459d8c7f4_b.jpg

Pic 11: High spots in the area north of the land bridge are now becoming visible. It won't be long before the water is drained from this area too.
49642275968_0f8a1f7998_b.jpg

Pic 12: Gap in the land bridge. Still too deep to wade across.
49642796886_35cb204328_b.jpg

Pic 13: This gap though can be easily waded across.
49642796806_64da11a87f_b.jpg

49643074302_6de817b5ae_b.jpg

This guy provided a good example of how shallow it is around this area.
49642275873_cf4ab02cb1_b.jpg

49642275818_51491fde9b_b.jpg

It wasn't until he reached the buoys that the water was over his head.
49643074552_b25581978b_b.jpg

Dry land as of 10 Mar, 2020
49643074277_41df85d8d7_b.jpg

Pic 14: Fishing shelter left high and dry.
49642796716_8051e15790_b.jpg

Pic 15: Tree stump sentinels wondering where all the water went.
49642275748_14d31f6688_b.jpg

Pic 16: I imagine this cistern dates back to a time before the reservoir was built.
49643074462_ce29b429bc_b.jpg

Pic 17: The floating pump house is no longer drawing water from what's left of the main body of water.
49642796581_70f7ddea29_b.jpg

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1
  • Great Info 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, tommy dee said:

think u nught even be shocked mate.. heat and useage  has seen it drop a lot.  stopped just now on way homw from work and there is just a large pond near the pump house and thats about it

If it's true this pump house is serving the water needs of Flower Land, and with the main body of water on its last legs, those dependent on the reservoir are going to be a tad upset Flower Land is hoarding water for their own use.

49642796581_70f7ddea29_b.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

when you see the depth, and hope shallow the water is, its really is on its last legs.  as the hot season seems to have kicked in in the past 7 days evaporation too becomes a major issue.  I watch the swimming pool  and am amazed some days how much goes off toward la soleil

 

flowerland was originally promised to be a shopping mall with robinsons in it.. how eASILY WE WERE MISLED 😉

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 2/23/2020 at 4:57 PM, forcebwithu said:

Time for the bi-weekly update of the shrinking Mabprachan Reservoir. As before, for reference purposes a screenshot of where the pics were taken.
49573336537_b3e7de0b02_b.jpg

Water Edge as of 23 Feb, 2020
49572968962_b3d4eed584_b.jpg

Pic 01: Quite a few more tree stumps exposed.
49572744071_1d0700327f_b.jpg

Pic 02
49572234313_2634731027_b.jpg

Only a small gap now in the land bridge.
49572235313_a0d0e87d90_b.jpg

Pic 03: Estimate another 1/2m drop in the water level. Probably the last time I can use this spot as a water level gauge since it looks like in another week there'll be dry land around the structure.
49572743996_17da407e87_b.jpg

Water Edge as of 23 Feb, 2020
49572969912_e70944ce7e_b.jpg

Pic 04: Innovative use of a boat's pontoon for a bridge.
49572743941_ef73b4196e_b.jpg

Pic 05: Pumps moving water from the main body to the channel leading to the pumping station.
49572969792_373b5a6a79_b.jpg

Pic 06: Thai's manning the pumps were quite helpful directing me under the outflow pipes to make my way across the land bridge.
49572743911_ba6f8e147b_b.jpg

Pic 07
49572969027_5815cfbbec_b.jpg

Pic 08: The gap in the land bridge looks a bit too deep to cross.
49572235113_c0cb4833a1_b.jpg

49572743831_142d01ab87_b.jpg

Pic 18: And indeed it was too deep. When I was on the other side of the reservoir noticed a couple of guys crossing the gap. Both were in over their heads and had to swim to the other side.
49572743316_3e8188b9d2_b.jpg

Pic 09: With most of the reservoir dried up decided to take a shortcut across what was previously lake bottom to the pumping station. Looking back towards the pumps. Area to the right is the wide mouth to the channel leading to the pumping station.
49572235028_11c3af6a67_b.jpg

49572969622_7f5bc530a6_b.jpg

49572969647_0e84e95dbb_b.jpg

Noticed another group on mtn bikes making their way across the land bridge.
49572743706_0e54030e96_b.jpg

Pic 10: Two weeks ago they had an earth retaining wall around the pumping station and were pumping water from the channel into the small pond it contained. They must have dug the channel deeper as now the pumps are gone and the retaining wall is open on both ends.
49572743696_861ec570d8_b.jpg

49572234838_28e36209e5_b.jpg

It was a mistake trying to cross the narrow bit in the above pic. Took a tentative step into the wet area and immediately sunk to mid-calf. Decided I might as well continue on and fortunately I didn't sink any deeper.
49572743631_8bf2e733a4_b.jpg

Pic 11: Nice of them to leave the pumping station gate unlocked again for me.
49572969512_26405b63a2_b.jpg

Pic 12: Looks like these guys have started a fish farm. Doesn't look like much change in the water level in this area from two weeks ago. Maybe looking at the top of the water table, in which case as long as they don't bring pumps in, they should continue to have water for their fish.
49572234708_6e80740b0e_b.jpg

49572234673_d53d3ecd99_b.jpg

Pic 13
49572969412_7d0453500c_b.jpg

Pic 14
49572743491_982c360531_b.jpg

Pic 15
49572969287_6d3bc99bae_b.jpg

Pic 16
49572234553_f31871539b_b.jpg

Pic 17
49572969247_4e9acc1e3c_b.jpg

Pic 19
49572234273_aac933cf7b_b.jpg

49572743256_f999017069_b.jpg

Pic 20
49572969182_85872016b1_b.jpg

Pic 21: The pump house in the above pic is now drawing its water from a pipe that extends a long way out to the main body of water. They might be thinking of holding the pond in reserve for when the reservoir runs dry. As mentioned in a prior post, this water is being used for the tourist trap, Flower Land. Seems to me to be a pretty selfish use of a public use/need commodity that is fast becoming scarce.
49572969112_da80359cee_b.jpg

Pic 22: A stark reminder of just how much the water level has dropped.
49572743196_8bd82ab992_b.jpg

Top quality Target recon are you Ex Military or CIA ?.

JDM

  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 3/7/2020 at 1:32 PM, tommy dee said:

hoping for oyur update on this.  in an attempt to noce to be nice, i have been renovating 3 swimming pools.  and pumped water from one to another.  didnt save much in the way money i think as the pump was running 24 hrs, but will only have refilled 2 pools with a truck.  am amazed at how much is evaporating already in the sun even tho the hot season hasnt started yet, and no they arent leaking 🙂

as to local wells, bore holes.  ours is still holding out so the water table is still good up here above the lake.  but for how long we dont know

Time to get my ass in gear I have purchased a water tank and am going to place it on top of my pool pump house however I was concerned about the load bearing roof being able to support it its 2,000lts so I am going to place 4 acro jacks under the roof concrete  slabs I have them however need to paint them first I think I will do it today.

I am also taking this opportunity to empty my swimming pool and re grout it and change the design a little.

There is no government water available where I live so I have a bore hole and a good size under ground holding tank.

I will do some calculation's  on water holding (both tanks) and usage my pool is a fair size so not topping it up will help with usage.

If the shit hits the fan I am planning on using one and topping it up from a truck keeping one as a last stand back up in case the trucks dry up then its down to shovel  shits, installing a piss pipe in the ground ( not used one since 2003 and now being retired did not think I ever would again Ha Ha. And rationed bottle water ( I have a large stock) I may buy more.

I have a friend who lives in a condo in Pattaya who has purchased a massive amount of 15lt containers he has made a wall against a wall in his condo with it.

Having seen the photos I now realise its time to get a grip and sort it out.

JDM

 

Edited by JDM
Put in post piss pipe
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

×
×
  • Create New...