Operation Instructions for Reservoirs in the Red River Basin in Vietnam during the Late Dry Season of 2024

Operation Instructions for Reservoirs in the Red River Basin in Vietnam during the Late Dry Season of 2024 (Internet image)

Operation Instructions for Reservoirs in the Red River Basin in Vietnam during the Late Dry Season of 2024

According to the document from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, currently, the Red River basin is in the late dry season and preparing for the flood season following the Inter-Reservoir Operation Procedure in the Red River basin, which was approved by the Prime Minister in Decision 740/QD-TTg dated June 17, 2019.

On May 21, 2024, the water levels in the reservoirs were all at high levels. The water levels of Hoa Binh, Thac Ba, and Tuyen Quang reservoirs are higher than the minimum prescribed levels in Appendix III of the operational process, ranging from 6.6m to 25.8m. The total storage capacity of the reservoirs in the basin is about 14.6 billion cubic meters, accounting for approximately 77% of the total useful storage capacity.

Currently, the water levels of all reservoirs are higher than the highest water levels during the early flood season (from June 15 to July 19): Son La reservoir reaches 211.95m (11.95m higher), Hoa Binh reservoir reaches 108.8m (3.8m higher), Tuyen Quang reservoir is 10.74m higher, and Thac Ba reservoir reaches 53.24m (2.76m lower). Therefore, to ensure flood safety, efficient water usage, and optimal electricity system operation, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment respectfully requests the relevant ministries to direct the Vietnam Electricity Group and reservoir operators:

(1) Based on the situation and forecasts of meteorology, hydrology, and water resources in the reservoirs, as well as the electricity load requirements of the system and water exploitation and usage needs in the basin, in coordination with relevant units, calculate and optimize the plans for mobilizing power sources, including hydropower, to ensure energy security, electrical system safety, and gradually raise the water levels of the reservoirs to the highest level before the flood season as regulated.

During the operation, minimize sudden increases in downstream flow, and limit excessive discharge to avoid water waste and ensure efficient power generation.

(2) On August 14, 2023, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment issued Official Dispatch 6647/BTNMT-TNN to the Vietnam Electricity Group, requesting a review, study, and recalculation of the proposed flexible operation plan for the reservoirs in the Red River Basin. However, up to the present time, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has not received the mentioned plan.

Therefore, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment requests the Ministry of Industry and Trade to urgently direct the Vietnam Electricity Group to instruct relevant agencies and units to review, study, and carefully calculate the adjusted operation plan in a flexible manner, ensuring the requirements for maintaining water levels before the flood season in the reservoirs. At the same time, develop a comprehensive operation plan to ensure sufficient water supply until the end of the flood season, meeting the water demand during the upcoming dry season, and submit it to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for assessment.

Basic technical indicators of the reservoir system in Vietnam

Decision 740/QD-TTg, dated June 17, 2019, stipulates the basic technical indicators of the reservoir system as follows:

1. Son La Reservoir:

- Normal rising water level: 215.00 m

- Dead water level: 175.00 m

- Maximum design flood water level (P=0.01%): 217.83 m

- Probable Maximum Flood (PMF): 228.07 m

- Total volume of the lake: 9,260.00 million m3

- Useful capacity: 6,504.00 million m3

2. Hoa Binh Reservoir:

- Normal rising water level: 117.00 m

- Dead water level: 80.00 m

- Maximum design flood water level (P=0.01%): 122.00 m

- Total volume of the lake: 9,862.00 million m3

- Useful capacity: 6,062.00 million m3

3. Thac Ba Reservoir:

- Normal rising water level: 58.00 m

- Dead water level: 46.00 m

- Maximum design flood water level (P=0.01%): 61.00 m

- Total volume of the lake: 2,940.00 million m3

- Useful capacity: 2,160.00 million m3

4. Tuyen Quang Reservoir:

- Normal rising water level: 120.00 m

- Dead water level: 90.00 m

- Maximum design flood water level (P=0.02%): 122.55 m

- Total volume of the lake: 2,260.00 million m3

- Useful capacity: 1,699.00 million m3

5. Lai Chau Reservoir:

- Normal rising water level: 295.00 m

- Dead water level: 265.00 m

- Maximum design flood water level (P=0.01%): 297.00 m

- Probable Maximum Flood (PMF): 303.00 m

- Total volume of the lake: 1,215.1 million m3

- Useful capacity: 799.7 million m3

6. Ban Chat Reservoir:

- Normal rising water level: 475.00 m

- Dead water level: 431.00 m

- Maximum design flood water level (P=0.1%): 477.31 m

- Maximum design flood water level (P=0.02%): 479.68 m

- Total volume of the lake: 2,137.70 million m3

- Useful capacity: 1,702.40 million m3

7. Hui Quang Reservoir:

- Normal rising water level: 370.00 m

- Dead water level: 368.00 m

- Maximum design flood water level (P=0.1%): 370.00 m

- Maximum design flood water level (P=0.02%): 371.77 m

- Total volume of the lake: 184.20 million m3

- Useful capacity: 16.30 million m3.

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