Creating wetlands within reservoirs

Meynell, P.J. and Chu Thai Hoanh. 2012. Creating wetlands within reservoirs. CPWF Mekong. Vientiane, Lao PDR.

This field trip and feasibility study follows on from an initial concept paper for creating wetlands in reservoirs that have a large draw down. The guiding hypothesis is that such reservoirs often have relatively limited diversity of aquatic habitats and their productivity is limited by the rather barren shoreline areas in the drawdown. The idea of developing permanent wetlands within the drawdown area through the construction of small dykes below the Full Supply Level that would retain water as the water level falls and be recharged with water during the wet season filling of the reservoir. Such created wetlands would contribute to greater habitat diversity and allow areas for fish spawning and growth and hence increase the productivity of the reservoir. Such created wetlands could also be used as more conventional fishponds for enhancing livelihood opportunities.