Water and Flood Management Problems in Bangkok and Venice Robby Whitesell GL 291 World Regional Geography November 1, 2005 Dr. Kukral

One of most recent disaster control issues to hit the United States is flooding caused by hurricanes. To most Americans significant flooding is something that only occurs a few times in a lifetime. In addition to our lack of exposure to flooding, Americans do not usually deal with water quality issues stemming from natural disasters. However, worldwide, there are many locations that not only deal with large scale flooding annually, but must also worry about water quality. Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand, is located in the lower delta region of the Chao Phraya River Basin. This river, which empties into the Gulf of Thailand, was responsible for the growth and development of this region of Thailand and has provided this region with rich agriculture. Although the people of the region realize the risks that accompany a river known for its annual flooding and have made adjustments accordingly, the flooding of the river and its affects on the quality of drinking water still are a major concern for officials. 1 For the most part, the people of this region are poor and over 70% of the twenty-million residents are farmers. 2 Since most of the people are farmers, much of land is cropland. Annual flooding helps makes the soils rich, but it also does a lot of damage to the farmer’s crops. Coupled with recent economic growth and subsequent deforestation, this area is always becoming more and more susceptible to severe damage from flooding. 3

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Drinking Water in Thailand Flood Management in Chao Phraya River Basin 3 Flood Management 2

There have, however, been innovations and strategies to fight and make better use of annual flooding. Currently, there are dikes, dams and flood walls in place to prevent large scale flooding around the more metropolitan and industrial regions in and around Bangkok. Also, individuals have their own plans for fighting flooding. Since the flooding here is predictable and usually slow (a few centimeters a day rise in water level is common), most people can slowly migrate to higher grounds. Downtown shops have large barricades in place to protect their stores and people move all their things to the top floors of their houses. But sometimes, the flooding is too great and dikes and flood walls are submerged and then people and factories are helpless. Recently though, especially after the flood of 1995 that affected over 15,000 square kilometers, there have been major

steps to combat the flooding problems. 4 The first is one proposed by the King. This scheme named Kaem Ling, or Monkey’s Cheeks, would attempt to store the flood water in large reservoirs located at higher elevations, then, once the flooding has ended, drain the reservoirs. 5 Also, larger flood barriers near the metropolitan areas around Bangkok, and the creation of better drainage systems in surrounding rivers and streams. These plans are supposed to increase flood protection in the immediate future. However, there is a plan for the future. This plan not only includes structural changes to barricades and dams, but non-structural changes to land management, warning systems and flood forecasting. A key feature of this plan is the realization that no matter what measures are taken, there will always be some kind of flood damage. The main idea then is to stop and get rid of as much water as possible, but also to better inform people before during and after flood times, and make better use of land not affected by flooding. 6

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Also, more

efficient use of the land that normally floods will decrease the damage felt in this region. 8 The ideas and strategies necessary to significantly reduce flood water problems are in place.

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Flood Management Management of Water Problems 6 Celebrating the 75th Anniversary 7 The Urbanization of Bangkok 8 Monsoons Can’t Break Drought in Thailand 5

The next step is execution. Thailand and its neighbors must cooperate and come together to help ending severe flooding around the Chao Phraya River. Another region nearly half way around the world from Thailand that has water control issues is Venice, Italy. Most people hear the word “Venice” and immediately thing of gondolas, the extensive water canals, and the historical significance of the city. However, the city’s adaptation to its location in a lagoon that makes it famous is still causing a serious threat to the integrity of the city. Basically, the city is sinking and the

water is rising. 9 This combination creates a great problem for the citizens of Venice. The country’s recognition of the importance of the city, however, has and will greatly help the city in fighting this problem. Venice only floods a few times a year when the Adriatic Sea rises in response to changes in tides caused by the moon and by the weather. The flooding is normally only a foot or so, but at times it can get higher. The latest large scale flood occurred in 1966 when there was almost 6 feet of flood water in some places. 10 concern among the people and officials of Venice.

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Saving Venice Saving Venice 11 Venice Could Provide Gateway 10

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This raised great

After World War II, Venice began to draw ground water from under itself to help support a rebuilding industry. However, the pumping out of this groundwater lessened the support for the city, thus beginning its sinking. After the flood of 1966, the use of groundwater was ended and now the city’s sinking rate has slowed significantly. 12 However, more than likely, it will not stop. For the most part, the city relies on elevated walkways and pathways to deal with the flooding when it occurs. Since the flooding is not on the order of several feet, most of the citizens simply deal with it. However, more and more continue to move away. In fact, many have completely abandoned the lowest

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Venice Could Provide Gateway

floors of their houses and shops. 13 The unique setup of the city, large canals (some 150 canals and 400 bridges) through the heart of it, draws many tourists annually. 14 Currently, Venetian officials and engineers have developed a grandiose plan to completely stop the Adriatic Sea from spilling into the lagoon. The plan involves large swinging gates that stretch from above the surface of the water to the bottom of the lagoon. There will be nearly eighty such gates placed at each of the three places were water can enter the lagoon from the Adriatic Sea. 15 These three places, Lido, Malamocco and Chioggia, are natural inlets.16

Each of these gates will measure twenty meters wide, thirty meters tall and four to five meters thick. 17 They will be hollow and once the water level in Venice has reached a certain point, they will fill with air and rise up, thus closing of the inlets. This should completely stop the flooding caused by the Adriatic Sea in Venice. Some environmentalists fear that these gates may inhibit critical “flushing” of the lagoon, but a 13

The Eastern Lagoon Front The Saving Venice Project 15 Scientists to Asses Venice Flood Risk 16 Venice Could Provide Gateway 17 Venice Could Provide Gateway 14

two year environmental impact study has already proved this fear to be false. The project is estimated to cost nearly four billion dollars and take over ten years to complete. But, officials feel this is the only way to preserve their historic city. Venice and Bangkok both have severe problems that involve flooding. There are however, some very distinct similarities and differences between the two cities. Both cities are having their culture and future put into jeopardy by flood waters. Venice may someday sink under sea level and Bangkok may suffer too much flood damage to remain a metropolitan city. Bangkok’s flooding is very predictable and happens every year, making it a little easier to handle with respect to readiness. However, it is hard to estimate the magnitude to which the flooding will rise. Plus, as a whole, the people in and around Bangkok are poorer and also rely more on water than the people of Venice. This makes the situation in Bangkok more severe. Also, the magnitude of flooding in Bangkok is significantly greater than that seen in Venice. Thus, it has a large affect on the quality of drinking water and spread of disease around the Chao Phraya River Basin. Since the people of Thailand rely on some flood waters to grow their crops, the problem there is much more complex. A simple dam will not solve the problem because it would cause a huge, growing lake to form behind it from annual flood waters. Also, it would cause the ocean to backflow to the area that was supposed to be dry. The multifaceted solution the Thai government and engineers have come up with is a good one and fits their specific problem well. The Venetian problem, at first, seems easier and less significant. However, it is hard to solve the problem of a city sinking into the water. Granted current sinking rates have slowed to four tenths of a millimeter per year, but that

is unlikely to stop. 18 Unlike the situation in Bangkok, the flooding in Venice is of very low magnitudes. Normal flooding is around a foot of water, which does not really endanger anyone, just inconveniences them for a while. Venice’s current solution of large underwater gates is a very viable and logical solution to the flooding, but it does not address the problem of the city sinking. For Venice to still be here hundreds of years from now, the city must look at stopping the sinking. If they are able to stop flooding caused by the Adriatic Sea, they will buy much needed time to try and stop the sinking. Both cities have good plans and strategies in order, now they just need to do everything they can to ensure they are completed. Although most people think of flooding as a general problem, it can pose much different problems depending on the region where it takes place. The two examples explored above demonstrate two vastly different problems that both stem from flooding. Water management and control is a serious problem in many areas globally and we, as Americans from the Midwest, do not usually pay attention to these problems since we are not directly affected. However, millions of people have to deal with water treatment, management and control problem everyday.

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Venice Could Provide Gateway

Bibliography Baker, Don, Saving Venice, http://www.architectureweek.com/2001/0815/building_12.html, viewed: Oct 31, 2005 Brehm, Denise, Venice Could Provide Gateway to 21st-Century Flood Control Method, http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2002/venice-1106.html, viewed: Oct 31, 2005 Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of His Majesty the King’s Birthday, http://thailand.prd.go.th/ebook/story.php?idmag=14&idstory=115, viewed: Oct 31, 2005 Davids, Karel, Water Control and Useful Knowledge: River Management and the Evolution of Knowledge in China, Northern Italy and the Netherlands, http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/economicHistory/GEHN/GEHNPDF/WaterControlandU sefulKnowledge-KarelDavids.pdf, viewed: Oct 31, 2005 DeCarlo, Giancarlo, The Eastern Lagoon Front, http://www.studioargento.com/ve2000ptvjf/text.html, May-June 2000, viewed: Oct 31, 2005 Drinking Water, http://www.thailandguru.com/infra-water.html, viewed: Oct 31, 2005 Flood Management in Chao Phraya River Basin, http://std.cpc.ku.ac.th/delta/conf/Acrobat/Papers_Eng/Volume%201/Wirat%20RID.pdf, viewed: Oct 31, 2005 Monsoons Can’t Break Drought in Thailand, http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2005/06/16/2003259522, June 16, 2005, viewed: Oct 31, 2005 One of His Majesty The King Bhumiphol Adulydej’s Concepts for Management of Water Problems, http://www.chaipat.or.th/journal/dec00/eng/e_pasak.html, viewed: Oct 31, 2005 The Save Venice Project, http://www.welcom.com/content.cfm?page=203 viewed: Oct 31, 2005 Scientists to Assess Venice Flood Risk, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cambridgeshire/3019484.stm, June 25, 2003, viewed: Oct 31, 2005 The Urbanization of Bangkok: Its Prominence, Problems and Prospects, http://www.unu.edu/unupress/unupbooks/uu11ee/uu11ee0z.htm, viewed: Oct 31, 2005