- Address: Nam Ngum Reservoir, Vientiane Prefecture, Laos
- Area: 16,906 sq. M. km
The largest reservoir in Laos is Lake Nan Ngum (Nam Ngum). It was created artificially in 1971, when a 75-meter dam was built on the river of the same name.
Description of sight
At the reservoir is a hydroelectric power plant, which is considered the largest in the country, and its capacity is about 650 MW. It developed in 3 phases, which are of paramount importance for a given locality.
Laos has no access to the sea, and its main strategy is the generation of electricity in inland waters. The Nam Ngum basin occupies an area of 16,906 sq. Km. km, incl. in the catchment area itself - 8,297 square meters. km. The flow rate here is 700 cubic meters. m. per second.
A large number of international organizations and financial institutions assist in the management of water resources and watersheds, as well as in creating optimal use of opportunities and their protection. One of the main projects, which has been operating since 2002, is the Nam Ngum River Development Sector.
The average depth of the lake is from 10 to 16 m. The river itself has a length of 354 km and is the main tributary of the Mekong. It originates in the province of Xiangkhuang (mountainous northern region) and flows southward through the Vientiane Quenge. On the whole coast, up to 1 million people live.
What can I do on the pond?
Tourists come to the lake Nan Ngum to relax in nature. Here you can:
- Go to the local fishing villages located on secluded islands. The latter were formed in the given territory after the flooding occurred due to the erection of the dam. The area of the islands varies from 75 to 500 hectares. In the settlements you can get to know the indigenous people, their traditions and culture. Here they prepare whiskey in an unusual way: distill rice wine. All guests are surely offered to try and buy it.
- Rent a long boat and go on a boat trip yourself to admire the surrounding scenic nature. Be careful, because the boat can accelerate to 5 km / h, and driftwood are found quite often.
- Visit the salt mines that are in the village of Ban Keun (Ban Keun). This food product is extracted by cooking at the stake. Local residents live in the same place where they work, and their children learn craft from infancy.
- Go fishing . Here, by the way, there are quite rare varieties of ray-fin. Local residents will gladly share the secrets of catching and indicate where it is best to deal with it.
- Around the lake Nan Ngum grows a rainforest in which you can stay overnight . In the evenings, on the banks of the islets, signal fires are lit, birds and cicadas are singing, and mantras are heard from the speakers of Buddhist temples.
How to get to the pond?
To the lake Nan Ngum from the nearest cities excursions are organized, which last all day, and the cost also includes meals. Also from the capital of Laos, you can come here by road number 10. The distance is about 20 km.