Songkhram River

Mountain ranges of the Isan

The river Songkhram ( Thai ลำน้ำ สงคราม - Lamnam Songkhram ) is a tributary of the Mekong and the only one without a major dam. With a length of 420 km, it has a catchment area of ​​12,367 km ².

The Songkhram rises in the hills between the Amphoe ( district ) Nong Han, Udon Thani Province, Sawang Daen Din and, Sakon Nakhon province (northeast Thailand). From there it flows first in the province of Nong Khai ( Amphoe Seka ), and then return to Sakon Nakhon in the Amphoe Wanon Niwat and finally in Amphoe Tha Uthen Amphoe Si Songkhram by at Chaiburi ( Nakhon Phanom ) in the Mekong to lead.

During the rainy season from June to August, the river swells considerably and is flooded marshes and smaller and larger lakes. One of these lakes typically reaches an area of ​​about 108 hectares. After the flood, the water flows slowly but steadily in the Mekong.

The lower valley of the Songkhram is particularly important for many animal and plant species that settle here. More than 17 fish species are found here, from some on the Red List of endangered species are. In the flooded areas are counted more than 150 plant species.