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Cologne University of Applied Science Vietnam Academy for Water Resources Faculty: ITT - Institute for Technology and

Resources Management in the Tropics and Subtropics

Module Watershed Management


Lecturers: Prof. Dr. Lars Ribbe and Ass. Prof. Dr. Bui Cong Quang

As s i g n m e n t

Huong River Basin Inventory


(Deadline for submission: 06 January 2012) Prepared by Tran Minh Phuong (Mrs)
TERMAVN intake 2010

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 3 CHAPTER 1: NATURAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF HUONG RIVER BASIN...................................................................................................... 4 1.1. NATURAL CHARACTERISTICS.......................................................................... 4 Topography characteristics ............................................................................... 4 Areas of territory .............................................................................................. 4 Characteristics of geology and soil.................................................................... 5 Characteristics of climate.................................................................................. 6 Characteristics of hydrology and water resources.............................................. 7 Dams and Reservoirs ........................................................................................ 8 Ecosystems ....................................................................................................... 8 Population ........................................................................................................ 9 Economic development..................................................................................... 9 Institutional arrangements regarding river basin management ........................... 9 1.1.1 1.1.2 1.1.3 1.1.4 1.1.5 1.1.6 1.1.7 1.2. 1.2.1. 1.2.2. 1.2.3. 2.1. 2.2.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS ...................................................................... 9

CHAPTER 2: ANALYSIS OF THE EXISTING SITUATION ....................................... 11 NATURAL DISASTER HAZARDS ..................................................................... 11 SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOOPMENT PRESSURES....................................... 11 Conflicts among water users ........................................................................... 11 Illegal exploitation .......................................................................................... 11 Deforestration................................................................................................. 11 Sand and gravel exploitation ........................................................................... 12

2.2.1 2.2.2 2.2.3 2.2.4 2.3. 3.1. 3.2.

MANAGEMENT ISSUES..................................................................................... 12 CONCLUSIONS ................................................................................................... 13 RECOMMENDATIONS ....................................................................................... 13

CHAPTER 3: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS..................................... 13

REFERENCES................................................................................................................. 14

INTRODUCTION

The paper of Huong River Basin Inventory, prepared by Tran Minh Phuong, TERMA student intake 2010, is an assignment of the Module Watershed Management lectured by Prof. Dr. Lars Ribbe (Cologne University of Applied Sciences, Germany) and Ass. Prof. Dr. Bui Cong Quang (Hanoi University of Water Resources). This is a desk study on the natural, social-economic, hydrologic conditions of Huong riverbasin and then discussion about the interaction among these factors, finally recommendations for a better water resources management of the basin. Thua Thien Hue Province is located in the central region of Viet Nam, between 1600 and 1645 N (latitude) and 10700 and 10915 E (longitude). The province is divided into nine administrative units including the major city of Hue, six districts in the plains area (Quang Dien, Huong Thuy, Huong Tra, Phu Vang, Phu Loc, Nam Dong) and two districts in the mountainous areas (A Luoi and Phong Dien). The province lies on the traffic-way and the important northsouth railway, between the two hubs of Viet Nam: Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City. It is found at the intersection of the natural economic and social conditions of northern and southern Viet Nam. The Huong River Basin has an international road that connects Hue City with Saravan Province of Laos, Thuan An seaport and a coastline hundreds of kilometres in length. Huong (Perfume) river basin is the largest basin of Thua Thien Hue Province with an area of 2830km2, elevation ranging from 200m to 1708m and the average slope varying from 15 to 35. The basin, located on the East of Truong Son mountains and on the North of Bach Ma range, covers the majority of the province territory. The main segment of the Huong river originates from the high mountain area of Bach Ma range at an altitude of 1318m and runs from South to North for about 104 km. The river has three main tributaries and relatively subdrainage basins: the Ta Trach (51km long with a drainage basin of 729km), the Huu Trach (70km long with a drainage basin of 691km), and the Bo river (94km long with a drainage basin of 938km).

Otherwise, Huong river basin is famous with the beauty of Hue Ancient Citadel a World Cultural Heritage, the cultural diversity of many minor ethnic groups and with the biodiversity of aquatic ecosystem, mangrove ecosystem, wetland ecosystem, forest ecosystem and lagoons. Inventory of Huong river basin will be inputs for the case study site description chapter under the master thesis on The roles social and cultural values of water in integrated water resources management approach - Case study in Huong river basin, carried out by Tran Minh Phuong. Why is Huong river basin?

CHAPTER 1: NATURAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF HUONG RIVER BASIN


1.1. NATURAL CHARACTERISTICS

1.1.1 Topography characteristics The Huong River has a basin area of about 3,000km and is located between 10709 and 10751 E (longitude) and between 1559 and 1636 N (latitude), and is bounded by O Lau River in the north, the Dong Sea in the east, Bach Ma Mountain in the southeast and the Truong Son mountain ranges in the west and the southwest. The Huong River originates in a steep mountainous range in the west and flows through a narrow and low delta before emptying into the Tam Giang Cau Hai Lagoon. It has a total length of 190 km, including its three main tributaries: Ta Trach, Huu Trach and Bo Rivers.

1.1.2 Areas of territory On the territory of Thua Thien Hue and Huong River Basin in particular, there is the formation of areas in West East direction: mountainous area, hilly area, plain and coastal lagoon and sand dunes. Mountainous area Occupying 70% the West and South area of the province; the Western mountainous area is a part of the Truong Son Mountain Range with many high peaks, of which, Dong Ngai peak is 1,774m and Dong Pho peak is 1,346m. The Southern mountainous and hilly area is Bach Ma Range starting from the Truong Son Mountains protruding to the sea with the peaks higher than 1000m, separating Thua Thien Hue from Da Nang. The distance from the high mountainous area down to the coastal plain is only less than 50km, creating a relatively great
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slope for Huong River basin. The land with slope above 250 making up 55.4% of the area, so most of land in mountainous and hilly area is eroded and degenerated (NCAP, 2008). The plain The plain of Huong River has an area of about 500km2 accounting for around 17% catchment area divided into two parts: Northern Huong River and Southern Huong River. The Southern Huong River is a hollow area and gradually sloping from Huong River to Cau Hai Lagoon, with many small rivers and streams. In comparison to Northern Huong River, the Southern Huong River is more depressed, with many hollow areas (NCAP, 2008). The area of lagoon, inland and coastal sand dunes Tam GiangCau Hai Lagoon has an area of 22,000ha, the widest place is 8- 9km, the narrowest 0.5 0.7km, it connects to the sea mainly by Thuan An and Tu Hien Estuaries. All big rivers in the area such as O Lau, Huong, Nong and Truoi Rivers pour into Tam Giang Lagoon before going to the East Sea. The coastal sand area is mainly a series of sand dunes from Huong Dien (the limit between Quang Tri and Thua Thien Hue) to Tu Hien Estuary (Phu Loc District) which is 71km long and about 2.5km wide. 1.1.3 Characteristics of geology and soil Soil and rock are mainly Paleozoic and Mesozoic sediment, widely distributed in the area. Paleozoic sediment includes A Vuong formation, distributed on a limited area in the Southeast of area, formation Dai Long distributed widely with two sub-formations. Thua Thien Hue has 49,107ha agricultural land and 180,412ha forest land. Other districts in plain are often flooded except for Nam Dong. The plain of Huong River is lower than the sea level and flood level so mostly is inundated in the alert level 3 (the alert level 3 is 3,00m in Hue), and up to 2/3 population and 2/3 houses in the catchment are inundated when big flood occurs (NCAP, 2008). Table 1: Distribution of land in Huong river basin (NCAP, 2008)

1.1.4 Characteristics of climate The diversified and divided topography of Huong river basin are also the cause of differentiating the climate in space that creates many different sub-climate areas. In general, the climate conditions are very severe, every year typhoon, sunshine, heat, drought and flood cause many difficulties for all socio-economic activities. Wind characteristics The prevailing wind direction in Thua Thien Hue changes clearly according to season. Due to mountains surround to the West, the South and many mountain ranges protrude to the sea dividing the territory into many parts, the wind direction is significantly dispersed. Maximum wind speed is up to more or less 30m/s in typhoon, whirlwind and 1520m/s in some times of strong Northeast monsoon (NCAP, 2008). Temperature characteristics Thua Thien Hue has relatively rich radiation of a territory lying quite deeply in the solstices of the Northern hemisphere. Annual average temperature, including the mountainous area which has a decrease in temperature with the height following the gradient of 0.50C/100m, is about 17-25.50C, achieves the tropical criteria in general and temperature of high mountain for the mountains with height more than 600m (NCAP, 2008). Rainfall characteristics Thua Thien Hue is one of the provinces with the largest amount of rainfall in the country with annual average rainfall of 28003400mm. The rainfall below 2800mm happens in some Northeast plains in the districts Huong Dien, Quang Dien, Phu Vang, and Hue City. The rainfall above 3400mm is in the famous rainfall center Bach Ma. According to observation data of many recent years, the rainfall of Bach Ma is no less than 5000mm.

Table 2: Monthly rainfall in basin (mm) (Surface water, 2008) Number of rainy days In general, the distribution of rainy days is suitable for rainfall distribution. On average every year there are about 200220 rainy days in mountainous area, 150-170 rainy days in the plain. In rainy season months, each month has 1624 rainy days, in dry season, each month has 8 16 rainy days.
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In Thua Thien Hue, two areas with different rainy seasons exist: - In coastal plain the rainy season starts from September and ends in December, lasting 4 months and dry season from January to August, lasting 8 months. - In mountainous area, the rainy season starts from May or June, and ends in December, lasting 78 months, dry season from January to April or May, lasting 45 months. Rainfall in Thua Thien Hue has considerably big intensity, especially in rainy season. The record of rainfall with the duration of 10 minutes is 1930mm, 30 minutes 3254mm and 60 minutes 70-96mm, relatively low in the plain and high in mountainous area. The record of daily rainfall in Thua Thien Hue is 730.7mm, of the highest ones in our country (NCAP, 2008). 1.1.5 Characteristics of hydrology and water resources Characteristics of runoff Runoff can be under many different forms: Annual discharge Q (m/s); annual runoff module M (l/skm); runoff depth Y (mm); annual runoff coefficient @ = Y/x (x is annual rainfall); total runoff W(m). With area bigger than the ones of other rivers, Bo River has the annual discharge up to 56.0m3/s. Huu Trach River also has annual discharge of 41.1m3/s, bigger than Ta Trach and Truoi Rivers. Between the rivers there are not significant differences in other characteristics of annual runoff. The runoff is not evenly distributed for various months in a year. In Thua Thien Hue, it is possible to differentiate two seasons: flood season from October to November and low flow season from January to September.

Table 3: Annual runoff of some main rivers in basin (mm) (NCAP, 2008) The proportion of flood season runoff over annual runoff comes up to 69.1% on the Bo River, 66% on Huu Trach River and 64% on Ta Trach River. Flood season only lasts 3 months but flood can happen in many other months, including: 1) Early flood: appears in September with frequency of 30%, often lasts 13 days; 2) Late flood: appears by the end of December to early January, with small intensity and amplitude. 3) Grain fills flood: appears from the end of April to early June, with small intensity in alert level I. The proportion of low flow season runoff over annual runoff is about 30% inBo River, 34% in Huu Trach River and 36% in Ta Trach River.

Table 4: Monthly discharge in low flow season (NCAP, 2008)


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Characteristics of water level Water level of flood: Every year in Thua Thien Hue in average there are at least 7 floods from alert level II. The average duration maintaining the flood level on the river at alert level II in a flood in the plain is 3, in some floods up to 9days. The variation of flood level every year is relatively big. Water level of the rivers in low flow season: Every year, on the rivers there are two times of low flow: the period from February April and period from July August. Water quality BOD values at all the monitoring stations exceed the A level of VN standard, specially, at Ben Ngu bridge, but it is much lower than the level B. Although some heavy metals such as Cd and Pb have been found at two monitoring stations, including Ben Ngu Bridge and freezing enterprise, their contents are much lower than the Vietnamese standard, level A level.

Table 5: Surface water quality in Huong river basin (Water quality, 2008) 1.1.6 Dams and Reservoirs In the river there are 198 hydraulic works including reservoirs, weir and pumping station. Total active capacity of reservoirs in basin is 1,307 MCM. The reservoir can store 19.4% total runoff (Surface water, 2008). There are 3 big dams in Huong river basin, they are Ta Trach Dam, Binh Dien Dam and Huong Dien Dam. Below is a summary of this infrastructure development:

Table 4: Dams in Huong river basin (IUCN, 2006) 1.1.7 Ecosystems Huong river basin includes terrestrial and aquatic and lagoon & mangrove ecosystems. Lowland and lower montane evergreen forest is presented for forest ecosystem of the basin.
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Huong river down-streams ecosystem is characterized by lagoon & mangrove ecosystem with coral reefs, sea-glass beds. Conversation area index is estimated 6.68% is medium level, compared to other basins. The index indicates the conservation value and environmental assets in the basin is medium level. The Huong River system plays an important role in the development of many riparian and aquatic ecosystems in both the river and the lagoon. In recent years, 465 plant species in the basin, seven of which are precious species have been identified. The surveys have also identified 29 species of mammals, 126 species of birds, 13 species of reptiles, 8 species of amphibians and 156 species of insects, of which six mammals, one bird and four reptile species were identified as precious species. 81 fish species are found in the river system and 170 fish species are found in the lagoon. Viet Nam's Red Book of Endangered Species and the IUCN Red List identified 13 of these species as precious species (IUCN, 2006).

1.2.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS

1.2.1. Population Population of Thua Thien Hue in 2006 is 1,137,962 people. The general population density of the entire province is 225 persons/km2, relatively high in districts of the plain such as Phu Vang (639 persons/km2), Quang Dien (564 persons /km2), the highest is in Hue (4,660 persons/km2), relatively low in mountainous districts, the lowest in A Luoi (33 persons/km2) and Nam Dong (35 persons/km2). Urban population is 357,682 people, accounting for 31.4%. In general, male occupies 49.2%, less than 50.8% for female. It is noted that in Hue City and almost all other districts male is less than female while in two mountainous districts A Luoi and Nam Dong, it is on the contrary, female is less than male. The difference between male and female in districts is only about 12%, particularly in Quang Dien, Phong Dien and Hue City, it is up to 34%. The entire province has 779,510 people at labour age, accounting for 68.5% population, mostly living in rural area, of which 67.8% participating in economic activities. The rate of population growth in recent years, from 2004 to 2006, is only more or less 1.3% and it is encouraging that this rate has the decreasing tendency (NCAP, 2008). 1.2.2. Economic development This basin is situated in Thua Thien - Hue province, that is a part of the central region key economic zones. Its GDP now makes up 0.71% of the national GDP. The economic structure is: agriculture 21%, industry 35% and services 44%. Average GDP growth rate is 9.5% in the last 5 years. Aquaculture: The sectors major activity is to fish along the side of lagoons. Aquaculture has a rather high share (44%) of the income in coastal regions. Industry: mostly on food and drink industries and construction material production. Chan May Port and Industrial Park is key to its development. Tourism plays an important role in this basin as Hue City was recognized as a world cultural heritage by UNCESCO (Water related economic issues, 2008). 1.2.3. Institutional arrangements regarding river basin management In Thua Thien Hue Province, there are a number of implementing institutions involved in the management of water resources at the provincial level. Steering agency: Provincial People Committee
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Main implementing agencies: Huong River Projects Management Board (HRPMB) Department of Natural Resources and Environment (provincial level) Division of Natural Resources and Environment (district level) Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Department of Science and Technology Department of Fishery Department of Planning and Investment Department of Finance Department of Industry and Trade Department of Construction Department of Transportation Department of Training and Education Department of Culture, Sport and Tourism Department of Police District People Committees Hydropower plants of Huong Dien, Binh Dien, Ta Trach Industrial zones of Chan May-Lang Co, Phu Bai Water supply companies of Van Nien, Da Vien and Tu Ha Irrigation companies Thao Long Dam Fishermen, farmers, households

Co-implementing agencies (provincial level):

Key water users

Huong River Projects Management Board (HRPMB) The HRPMB was created in 1996 by the province with the main role as a secretariat to provide technical consultation to the Provincial People Committee (PPC) in relation to the Huong River system. Its specific tasks include i) collect and review data and documents relating to the Huong River system; ii) conduct research and measurement of flows, tides, saline intrusion, etc; iii) participate in defining requirements of water supply and flood control; iv) provide consultation in fields of water resources works; and v) research, develop and participate in projects and programs relating to the Huong River.

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CHAPTER 2: ANALYSIS OF THE EXISTING SITUATION


2.1. NATURAL DISASTER HAZARDS

Floods and tropical storms are common threats to human lives and properties of Thua Thien Hue Province. Such frequent severe hazards have led to the decision of Thua Thien Hue PPC on the development of major structural measures, including upstream reservoirs on all tributaries of the Huong River system and a salt-water control dam at the estuary. These works are considered the most effective measures to mitigate and control frequent dangers from flooding, saline intrusion and drought. However, the flows in the Huong River and through the Tam Giang Cau Hai Lagoon will be completely regulated due to the existence and operation of dams and reservoirs on all upstream tributaries of the Huong River system. It should be noted that river bank erosion has already been occurring over the years with ever increasing extent and scope, with hundreds of kilometers of river stretches found eroded in the Huong and Bo Rivers.

2.2.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOOPMENT PRESSURES

The physical impacts of socio-economic development activities and the inappropriate management of the river basin are currently considered critical issues for the sustainable development of natural resources of the river basin and these issues vary in a large range. 2.2.1 Conflicts among water users There exists conflicts among stakeholders regarding the functions of some of the rivers infrastructures that have bad or good impacts upon development of a single stakeholder. The operation and functions of various infrastructures have led to conflict and debate among stakeholders regarding the positive or negative impacts on each stakeholder or interest group. There are, for instance, debates and conflicts around the operation of the salt-water prevention gates which serve agricultural needs in communes upstream but harm the aquaculture farming activities in Tam Giang Cau Hai Lagoon downstream. 2.2.2 Illegal exploitation Illegal and over-exploitation of water resources in the river and the lagoon have led to serious degradation of water resources and the water environment. Although local authorities have strictly banned destructive fishing practices, they remain common in the rivers and the lagoon. In addition, thousands of fish traps related to fishery activities in the lagoon and rivers have blocked navigation ways important for local transportation. 2.2.3 Deforestration Forest loss due to fire and illegal exploitation of timber has been continuously happening in upstream areas. Despite on-going provincial reforestation activities, there is a continuing reduction in forested areas in the province, with a loss of 228 ha in 2004 (IUCN, 2006). Although the Huong River is usually considered one of the cleanest rivers in Viet Nam, river water is polluted in some areas of high population density such as Hue City and its vicinities. Water pollution is primarily from human waste, although the contribution of other production activities has increased in recent years. There are now concerns over increasing water pollution in the rivers, especially during the dry season with low flow rate from upstream.
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Fish farming has recently developed along the Bo River and will be a new source of water pollution in the river. There are now nearly 400 fish cages located on Bo River within Quang Dien District, and this number will increase in coming years due to its high profitability. There are now special concerns of local authorities over the rapid development of this type of aquaculture without proper planning, management and technical assistance. 2.2.4 Sand and gravel exploitation Although strictly banned, illegal exploitation of sand and gravel in some critical areas along the Huong and Bo Rivers is still occurring and contributing to river bank erosion. With more than 1,200 boat people relying on these activities for their livelihoods, the subsequent damages to the river structure are worthy of special attention.

2.3.

MANAGEMENT ISSUES

Water resources management around the world has recently been moving towards some forms of integrated basin management, which is globally considered to be the most appropriate mechanism to successfully resolve and prevent conflicts and inappropriate interventions regarding the use of water resources. The Huong River Basin, as indicated above, is certainly not an exceptional case. This kind of integrated basin management, however, has not yet been realized in the province despite the PPCs early awareness of its necessity. Lack of clarity over the mandates of responsible implementing agencies Lack of cooperation and information exchange among implementing agencies Lack of participation of other basin stakeholders, especially local communities Weak capacity of implementing agencies and other stakeholders Lack of a comprehensive and accessible database for the Huong River Basin Lack of sufficient information about the critical issues within the river basin Lack of technical assistance for development and management of major infrastructure in an environmentally benign way Lack of economic instruments for basin management: Absence of a strategy and an action plan for Huong River Basin integrated management on the basis of ecosystems-and-livelihoods sustainability Lack of experience with restoration of critical areas consistent with local livelihoods

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CHAPTER 3: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS


3.1.

CONCLUSIONS
Huong River Basin plays a vital role in provincial development. It provides fresh water to approximately 70% of total province population living within the basin and to a large proportion of the socio-economic activities of the province as a whole, including agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture, transportation, tourism, and industry. Most major urban areas are found within the basin boundary and rely heavily on water supply from the Huong River system. Otherwise, Huong River Basin also contributes to the biodiversity conservation with 13 Endangered Species of IUCN Red List and Vietnams Red Book. Huong River Basin suffers from both natural disasters (floods, storms, saline intrusion, climate change...) and human activtities (water pollution, water extraction, constructions...). Institutional arrangement and legislations on sustainable water utilization in the basin is still weak. Integrated water resources management has not yet been recognized in the province.

3.2.

RECOMMENDATIONS
To develop and implement sector specific development plans that are in line with the established IWRM targets and effectively contribute to: i) economic sustenance of the sector livelihoods and ii) the ecological restoration and sustainability of the basin. Establish and adopt a comprehensive IWRM plan for the Huong River Basin that sets out clear targets for ecological base flows, water allocation, water quality and water use and regulation, and provides a comprehensive framework and objectives for the different water use sectors to achieve these in the mid and long term. Strengthen the capacity of the Huong River Management Board and Provincial Line Departments in the application of IWRM principles and tools through the establishment of a common base line of current water use and identification of pertinent issues and options for improvement. Create necessary conditions and resources and to establish an authorized and effective integrated management mechanism for the Huong River Basin

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REFERENCES
IUCN, 2006. Huong river basin integrated management project. IUCN Vietnam, October 2006 NCAP (The Netherlands Climate Assistance Program), 2008. Project Climate Change Impacts in Huong River Basin and Adaptation in its Coastal District Phu Vang, Thua Thien Hue province- Final Report 2008. [Online]. Available at: http://www.nlcap.net/fileadmin/NCAP/Countries/Vietnam/NCAP.VN.CON01.FinalReport.final.pdf. [Accessed 2 Jan 2012] Surface water, 2008. (Thematic report) (Cmnd.10). Hanoi: Water Sector Review project. Water quality, 2008. (Thematic report) (Cmnd.11). Hanoi: Water Sector Review project. Water related economic issues, 2008. (Thematic report) (Cmnd.02). Hanoi: Water Sector Review project.

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