Engineers and workers from the Investment and Construction Management Board of Irrigation Project 3 are on duty operating the Cua Dat reservoir.
“The unit has been closely coordinating with water users, implementing synchronized operational and regulation solutions, prioritizing water resources for land preparation, planting, irrigation, care, and drought prevention for seasonal crops,” shared Mr. Le Ba Huan, head of the Cua Dat Irrigation Works Exploitation Branch, under the Management Board of Investment and Construction of Irrigation Works 3 ( Ministry of Agriculture and Environment ).
The Cua Dat Reservoir is a large-scale, integrated irrigation project utilizing the Chu River's water resources, holding a particularly important position in the national irrigation system. The reservoir has a catchment area of 5,938 km² and a total capacity of approximately 1.45 billion m³ of water. It is no coincidence that Cua Dat Reservoir is included in the list of particularly important dams and reservoirs, and important irrigation projects related to national security. Currently, Cua Dat Reservoir is the second largest irrigation reservoir in the country (after Dau Tieng Reservoir). The project fulfills many important tasks: flood control for the downstream Chu River; supplying water for industrial production and daily life with a flow rate of 7,715 m³/s; creating a stable irrigation source for 86,862 hectares of cultivated land, including over 54,000 hectares in the South Chu River region and over 32,000 hectares in the North Chu River - South Ma River region; and combining power generation with an installed capacity of 112 MW. At the same time, it supplements water for the downstream areas during the dry season, contributing to pushing back salinity and improving the ecological environment.
Leading us on a tour of the key facilities, Mr. Hoang Ngoc Canh, Head of the Planning and Technical Team, Cua Dat Irrigation Works Exploitation Branch, said: “The operation of the reservoir is always calculated based on the existing water resources of Cua Dat reservoir and upstream reservoirs such as Hua Na hydropower plant in Nghe An , Nam Sam 3 reservoir in Laos; at the same time, closely following the meteorological and hydrological forecasts and warnings of the National Center for Meteorological and Hydrological Forecasting and the Northern Region Meteorological and Hydrological Station.”
Recent years have shown that, due to the large catchment area of Cua Dat reservoir, the water flow mainly originates from the mountainous areas of neighboring Laos, Nghe An province, and upstream Thanh Hoa province. The steep terrain causes floods to arrive quickly and the situation to be complex, requiring very proactive and accurate monitoring, forecasting, calculation, and operation. Even a slight delay or negligence in operation can affect the safety of the structure and the lives and livelihoods of people in the downstream areas.
Therefore, during periods of heavy rain and flooding, the Management Board of Irrigation Investment and Construction No. 3 issues notices on flood control and regulation in accordance with the procedures approved by competent authorities. The discharge flow is adjusted up or down depending on the actual situation, ensuring a balance between flood mitigation, dam safety, and safety for downstream areas. The unit regularly coordinates with the Thanh Hoa Provincial Civil Defense Command, local authorities, and relevant agencies and units to provide timely information to officials and the public.
To ensure the safety of the structure during the 2026 rainy season, the Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention, Control, and Search and Rescue of the Cua Dat Irrigation System has assigned specific responsibilities to each member; maintained a duty roster, patrols, and inspections of the structure; and closely monitored rainfall, flood levels, reservoir water levels, and the condition of key components, equipment, and machinery. Any damage or issues arising are detected and repaired promptly, such as upgrading the dam and spillway monitoring system; addressing and rectifying damage to the Cua Dat irrigation system caused by the 2025 rain and storms; constructing embankments to protect the banks and structures for management and operation, enhancing the ability to respond to emergencies; and repairing and upgrading the mechanical equipment of the spillway gates.
Furthermore, the "four on-site" principle was strictly implemented at each construction site. Reserve materials, equipment, personnel, and command plans were all reviewed and prepared. At the main dam, downstream of the main dam, and spillway, the unit prepared thousands of sandbags, 7,000 cubic meters of rock, and specific plans for mobilizing forces and equipment to proactively handle any situations that might arise. Coordination with other hydropower plants in the system was also emphasized.
According to the flood control plan for the downstream area of Cua Dat, when the reservoir water level reaches the warning levels, relevant levels, sectors, and localities must closely monitor and implement corresponding response measures. The impact when the reservoir releases floodwaters affects many downstream localities such as Thuong Xuan, Tho Xuan, Trieu Son, Thieu Hoa, Dong Son districts and the former Thanh Hoa City. Therefore, plans to protect residents, economic facilities, infrastructure, security and defense areas, as well as plans to evacuate people to safe places, are always given top priority.
Nestled amidst the vast forests of Thuong Xuan, Cua Dat Reservoir quietly performs its duty of water conservation, flood control, and providing cool water for fields, factories, and the people in the downstream areas. Behind this tranquility lies the proactive spirit, responsibility, and close coordination of all levels and sectors, the silent shifts at the dam, spillway, and control room, the scientific calculations and operation of the project, and the responsibility of the officials, engineers, and workers who tirelessly work day and night on the project. And so, from the headwaters of the Chu River, the water from Cua Dat Reservoir continues to flow, carrying with it the hope of bountiful harvests and peace for the people.
Text and photos: Thu Hoa
Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/giu-binh-yen-noi-dau-nguon-cua-dat-291852.htm
