Proposal to invest in a saltwater dam on Quan Truong River

Urgent investment

In recent years, Quan Truong and Tac rivers have often been blocked due to sedimentation and accumulation; the riverbed has narrowed, saltwater intrusion has occurred and the environment has become increasingly polluted. This has directly affected the lives of people and the landscape of the area. Especially during the rainy season, Nam Nha Trang and Tay Nha Trang wards are often flooded, affecting people's lives and property. Faced with these shortcomings, the province has invested in dredging many sections of these two rivers. However, due to limited funding, the investment in dredging and construction of related works has not been synchronized, especially the upstream areas of the rivers have not been dredged and cleared, leading to flooding in the downstream areas of Suoi Dau when the rainy season comes and because they are not connected to Cai River, the water quality in the upstream areas of Tac River and Quan Truong River is polluted in the dry season.

It is expected that a saltwater dam on Quan Truong River will be invested near Binh Tan Bridge.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hien - Director of the Provincial Development Project Management Board said: "To solve the problem of saltwater intrusion and environmental pollution, investing in the construction of a saltwater dam for the Tac River and Quan Truong River is extremely necessary. The dam will play an important role in proactively responding to climate change - rising sea levels, protecting the administrative center of the province and artificial islands according to the planning project. The project will even turn the core area of Nam Nha Trang and Tay Nha Trang wards into an island city with the east bordering the sea, the west bordering the lake, the south bordering Cua Be and the north bordering Cai River.

According to the consultant's report, the formation of a saltwater dam on Quan Truong River will help prevent saltwater intrusion in the upstream area, ensuring a stable source of fresh water for Xuan Phong and Vo Canh water plants; forming a freshwater reservoir with a capacity of about 6 million ^m3 , serving the water supply for the new urban area in the west. At the same time, creating a water surface space with an open area of 280 hectares, contributing to urban beautification and developing inland waterway tourism for the new urban area in the west; limiting landslides, reducing the scale and cost of construction of works to protect the banks of island urban clusters, riverside urban areas, reducing the scale of dredging the Tac River and Quan Truong River within the reservoir. The project ensures flood drainage, ensures level V water traffic, and creates a landscape architectural highlight for the area.

Total investment expected to be nearly 900 billion VND

According to the investment proposal, the project includes the following items: The main dam to prevent salinity, retain fresh water and discharge floods made of reinforced concrete; a boat lock for boats to pass through during the period of salinity prevention; a system of valves that open and close with hydraulic cylinders, free spillway to actively maintain stable water levels and discharge floods; a pedestrian bridge that operates in combination with landscape and architecture serving tourism; an operation management area, lighting system and tourism utilities. The project has a total estimated investment of nearly 900 billion VND.

At the same time, the consulting unit proposed 4 dam route options. Specifically, option 1A: Upstream of Binh Tan bridge, about 10m from the bridge, total dam length is 300m. Option 1B: Upstream of Binh Tan bridge, about 150m from the bridge; total dam length is 330m. Option 2: Upstream of Binh Tan bridge, about 300 - 400m from the bridge; total dam length is 175m, divided into two dams, the north bank and the south bank, separated by Hoa Sen island. Option 3: Upstream of Binh Tan bridge, about 1,300 - 1,400m from the bridge; dam length is 420m, divided into two dams, the north bank and the south bank, separated by Hoa Sen island.

After analysis, the consulting unit proposed to choose option 1A. Because this is the option that ensures the investment goal, does not require site clearance, does not affect the landscape of the islands; the middle section of the river arranges a spillway combined with landscape design, tourism development; creates a highlight for the area, when passing through Binh Tan bridge, the southern gateway to the urban center.

Some expected milestones: Completing project documents to request opinions from the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee (July 2025); completing documents, submitting for appraisal and approval of project investment policy (July 2025); preparing, appraising and approving feasibility study report (December 2025); preparing, appraising and approving construction drawing design and estimate (March 2026); organizing selection of construction contractor and supervision consultant (April 2026); construction will start in May 2026 and be completed in December 2028.

MANH HUNG

Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/xa-hoi/202507/de-xuat-dau-tu-dap-ngan-man-tren-song-quan-truong-945579d/