Background
On 16 March 2026, the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology, through the Department of Agricultural Hydraulics, conducted a field inspection of the O Chamark irrigation canal system in Stoung district, Kampong Thom province. The mission was led by Phang Vy, Director of the Department of Agricultural Hydraulics, representing the Minister of Water Resources and Meteorology, Thao Cheth, and focused on reviewing the progress of annual maintenance works planned for 2026.
The O Chamark irrigation system receives its water from the 30 Kanha reservoir and supports both wet-season and dry-season rice cultivation, as well as other mixed crops and daily household water use for surrounding communities.
Scope of Application
The inspection and maintenance activities apply to the O Chamark irrigation canal system located in Stoung district, Kampong Thom province. The system includes the main canal, concrete-lined main canal, secondary canals, and associated hydraulic structures such as water gates, culverts, and siphons that distribute water from the 30 Kanha reservoir to agricultural land and local users within the command area.
Key Provisions or Decisions
For 2026, the planned annual maintenance and construction works on the O Chamark irrigation system comprise the following items:
- One main canal (MC1) section with a length of 2,600 meters.
- One concrete main canal (LC1) section with a length of 3,600 meters.
- One secondary canal (SC1) section with a length of 1,000 meters.
- Installation of a new terminal water intake structure with a two-leaf gate at the end of the main canal.
- Installation of a new double-row culvert structure with a two-leaf gate on the main canal at one location.
- Installation of a new double-row culvert structure on the main canal at two locations.
- Repair of a triple-row culvert crossing with a three-leaf gate on the main canal at one location.
- Repair of a triple-row culvert crossing on the main canal at one location.
- Repair of two corner culvert crossing structures on the concrete main canal.
- Repair of two siphon structures on the main canal.
- Repair of a water intake structure and water diversion structure with a two-leaf gate at one location.
During the visit, the Director of the Department of Agricultural Hydraulics underlined that the O Chamark irrigation system, supplied by the 30 Kanha reservoir, has the potential to irrigate approximately 1,248 hectares of wet-season rice and about 860 hectares of dry-season rice, as well as various mixed crops both upstream and downstream of the system. The system also plays a role in providing water for daily use by local residents.
The Director requested the project implementation team to continue paying close attention to construction quality, to comply with technical standards, and to ensure that works are completed according to the planned schedule and with high effectiveness.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
The maintenance and upgrading of the O Chamark irrigation system indicates ongoing public investment in irrigation infrastructure in Stoung district, Kampong Thom province. Improved main and secondary canals, along with rehabilitated and newly installed hydraulic structures, are intended to enhance water distribution reliability for agricultural production, particularly for rice cultivation and mixed crops within the command area supplied by the 30 Kanha reservoir.
For agricultural producers and related businesses operating in the area, these works may support more stable access to irrigation water across wet and dry seasons. Contractors and technical service providers engaged in similar water infrastructure works should note the ministry’s emphasis on adherence to technical standards, construction quality, and timely implementation as key performance expectations.
Official Source
The information is based on an official announcement from the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology (MOWRAM) published via its verified Facebook page on 16 March 2026.
