The Da Nang Water Supply Company (DAWACO) is accelerating the completion of its second temporary water dam with sandbags to height of 3.2m on the Quang Hue River which runs through the province’s Dai Loc District, in order to help reduce in the salinity levels of the Da Nang-based Cau Do (Red Bridge) River.

Workers of DAWACO is executing the second temporary dam on the Quang Hue River. Photo: NAM TRAN

The new development will create a backup of the exisiting temporary dam at the junctions between the Quang Hue and Vu Gia rivers which was constructed by Quang Nam Province and was completed on April 13. Currently, the exisiting temporary dam is at high risk of being swept away by landslides.

However, gabions which was used in the construction of the water control gate on the Quang Hue River was dug up and washed away by floods by late 2020. As a result, DAWACO had to dump hundreds of cubic meters of rocks to the river bed and then placed sandbags on the rocks to a height of 3.2m.

Over 70% of the construction work has till date been completed and the project is expected to be completed on June 20, 2021.

Simply put, such a dam aims to increase the water flow discharged into to the Vu Gia River, thus contributing to ensure water supplies for pumping stations of Dai Loc and Dien Ban areas of Quang Nam Province, and reduce saline intrusion at the intake of raw water into the Cau Do water plant.

Also, the dam helps ensure that the majority of the water sourced from the Vu Gia River will be released into the Yen River where the Da Nang’s An Trach Dam is located. DAWACO has taken the initiative to source water from the An Trach Dam to ensure the delivery of adequate tap water for homes and businesses across the city during the hottest period.

It is expected that Da Nang will face significant risk of severe drought, salinity intrusion and water shortage in the coming time, especially during the peak period of summer season. The building of the temporary water dam is a must-do.

Besides, temporary anti-saline intrusion dams on the Cam Le River will be constructed so as to prevent the Cau Do River from saline intrusion, and ensure a sufficient amount of water for domestic purposes at all times.

Reporting by NAM TRAN – Translating by H.L