CONFLUENCE-Mekong, Tonlé Sap, and Bassac Rivers—Phnom Penh, Cambodia. - River Origins, Destinations and Confluences on Waymarking.com

Three major rivers converge at the location of Phnom Penh—the capital city of the Kingdom of Cambodia. These are the Mekong River, the Tonlé Sap River, and the Bassac River. From the totality of this river system flows much of the agricultural wealth of Cambodia, as well as a national and international transportation route. Also, a great deal of the history of the Kingdom has been influenced, even controlled, by the existence of these rivers. Indicative of this importance, it is not by accident that Phnom Penh is located at this point. The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda complex (the principal pagoda in the Kingdom) is situated on the Mekong riverfront, directly opposite the confluence of the Mekong River and Tonlé Sap. There are several regal/cultural/political/social events held every year here, which link the monarchy to the flow of these rivers.

This river system begins with the Mekong River, the longest of the three, which has its origin in Tibet. The Mekong then winds its way southwards through and past China, Burma, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam to its mouth in the South China Sea. Along the way, at the locale of Phnom Penh, it is joined by the Tonlé Sap and splits off into the Bassac River distributary.

The Mekong is the major river of Cambodia. Several principal provincial capitals lie on the River, and it must be said, the River moderates the hot, tropical climate of Cambodia in a most pleasant fashion. All along the Mekong in the cool of the evening, locals come out, sit on the foreshore, buy food from street vendors, who cook tasty treats on tiny stoves, imbibe a beer, families picnic, teenagers earnestly socialise, everyone relaxes and has a pleasant time.

This river system has a complex hydrology. Of prime importance to Cambodia is the Tonlé Sap River. This River connects the Mekong to the Tonlé Sap Lake ("The Great Lake"), which stretches through the centre of the Kingdom (it has been described as an upside-down violin, with its handle reaching Phnom Penh), and incidentally is the largest fresh water lake in South East Asia. The significance of the River lies in its seasonal direction of flow. In the dry season, November–May, the lake drains into the Mekong via the River lowering the Lake water level, however, in the wet season, June–September, this flow reverses and water flows back from the Mekong into the lake.

At this time, the wet season, the surface area of the Tonlé Sap Lake can increase five fold (~2,700sqr km to 16,000sqr km), and its depth from 1m to 9m (or more)—flooding central Cambodia. This has led to the existence of 'floating villages'—houses on stilts—in the floodplain region. This reverse flow carries a great deal of nutrient, which turns this area into the food bowl of Cambodia. In 1997 the UN recognised the importance of the Lake by designating it a UNESCO biosphere.

The third associated river is the Bassac River. This is a western distributary of the Mekong River, that splits off a little to the north of the Tonlé Sap. The Bassac flows from Phnom Penh to Chou Doc in Vietnam, where it continues on to debouche into the South China Sea. The land along the course of the river is flat, producing a slow flowing current. The foreshore region of the river is densely populated, and there are numerous small craft making their way up and down this river. There is a regular and popular route from Phnon Penh to Ho Chi Ming via Chou Doc.

There are a few issues facing the Mekong and its tributaries. The construction of Chinese dams has raised a number of environmental concerns, however, the relevant governmental authorities have assured everyone of the beneficial and benign outcomes of these constructions.

The Mekong River Commission is charged with guarding the well being of the Mekong River and its associated rivers: www.mrcmekong.org/


A few fun facts:
The Mekong is the world's 10th-longest river and the 7th-longest in Asia. It is 4,900km long, discharging 475 cubic kilometres of water annually. Before Phnom Penh was founded this area was known as Krong Chaktomuk meaning "City of Four Faces". This name refers to the junction where the rivers cross to form an “X”. Phnom Penh also marks the beginning of the delta system of the Mekong River. Here the mainstream begins to break up into an increasing number of branches.


There is a great deal of parking along the west bank of the Mekong (the tourist area of the city). The best view of the confluence can be found looking north from Diamond Island, the waymark location. The island is the prestigious suburb of the city (not too far from the Australian Embassy). Unfortunately, there is no one location from which everything can be seen, there are no high points in the area.

The waymark location is a Buddhist shrine on the shore of the Mekong in front of the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda in central Phnom Penh. The confluence of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap Rivers.


information sources:
wikipedia articles on the Lakes and phnom Penh.
Mekong River Commission website.
"A History of Cambodia" David Chandler.
conversations with locals.

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