12 November 2012: An International Water Management Institute (IWMI) study published in the Journal of Hydrology highlights outcomes of a three-year project on the Chao Phraya River in Thailand. The study calls for recharging groundwater aquifers during periods of flooding, to be withdrawn by farmers during times of drought.

The article, titled “Balancing-out floods and droughts: Opportunities to utilize floodwater harvesting and groundwater storage for agricultural development in Thailand,” examines ways to reduce the impacts of cyclical flooding and drought, which impose great costs on Thailand’s economy. The report highlights managed aquifer recharge (MAR), which traditionally has been used in dry climates to store wet season water, but has not been deployed in the tropics.

The study considers use of MAR during flood years, finding that livelihoods of upland farmers could be improved through increased access to water during the dry season. The study also concludes that environmental impacts of MAR during flood years would be limited, noting that minimum discharges are required to prevent saltwater intrusion in coastal areas and to transport nutrients into the Gulf of Thailand to support marine ecosystems. The study finds that associated changes in wet season flows are not likely to affect dry season flows.

The article calls for future work in: identifying and assessing areas of greatest flood harvesting opportunity; assessing local sites; engaging farmers and the water resource sector to develop effective implementation models; and establishing demonstration sites.

IWMI is a member of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). [Publication: Balancing-out floods and droughts: Opportunities to utilize floodwater harvesting and groundwater storage for agricultural development in Thailand] [IWMI Press Release]