The Dauntri Dam, located in Rukhak Kiri district of Battambang province in northwestern Cambodia, represents one of the country’s most ambitious and transformative water infrastructure projects. Funded by the South Korean government through concessional Official Development Assistance (ODA), and overseen by Cambodia’s Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology (MOWRAM), the dam is a key part of Cambodia’s broader strategy to enhance irrigation, mitigate flood risks, and support sustainable rural development.
A Strategic and Technically Advanced Project
The Dauntri Dam is an earth-core rockfill dam constructed across the Dauntri River, a tributary in the Tonle Sap basin. It spans 654 meters in length with a height of approximately 47 meters and is designed to store up to 163.1 million cubic meters of water. Complementing its main embankment, the project includes a 414-meter concrete spillway, a 462-meter-long horse-shoe-shaped outlet tunnel, a pump house with five gated outlets, a 55-meter-long access bridge, 17.3 kilometers of gravel service roads, eight drainage structures, and three temporary bridges. These features allow for controlled water discharge and efficient flood management.
Construction began in June 2018 and, despite technical challenges and COVID-19-related delays, the project is now approximately 97% complete. Final commissioning is expected by October 2025.
Purpose and Benefits
The primary objective of the Dauntri Dam is to supply irrigation water to approximately 33,000 hectares of farmland during the wet season and 4,500 hectares in the dry season across 11 communes in Battambang and Pursat provinces. These communes include areas in Moung Ruessei and Rukhak Kiri districts of Battambang and Bakan district of Pursat, according to a May 8 statement by the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology. By enabling reliable year-round irrigation, the dam supports double-cropping of rice and increases agricultural productivity, directly benefiting thousands of farming households.
In addition to irrigation, the dam provides critical flood control by capturing excess runoff during the rainy season and releasing it gradually to prevent downstream flooding. This flood mitigation is expected to protect communities in the project area.
Another important benefit is the improvement in clean water access for nearby villages. The reservoir will become a stable source of freshwater, particularly valuable during the dry season when groundwater is limited.
How It Works
The Dauntri Dam operates by capturing monsoon rainwater from the Dauntri River and storing it in a reservoir. The water is then released in a regulated manner through the outlet tunnel and spillway. The five gated outlets allow operators to precisely control the volume of water distributed downstream.
During the rainy season, the dam stores excess water to prevent flooding. In the dry season, stored water is released to supply irrigation canals and support agricultural activities. Secondary canals divert water to rice fields, and the reservoir also provides water for domestic use and livestock. Safety systems, including advanced monitoring equipment, ensure the dam operates within design limits.
Socio-Economic Impact
The Dauntri Dam is expected to significantly boost local economies by increasing crop yields and enabling year-round farming. It reduces vulnerability to climate shocks like droughts and floods and contributes to poverty alleviation by enhancing livelihoods in the agricultural sector.
The project also created employment during construction and will continue to support jobs in irrigation management, maintenance, and agriculture-related services. Additionally, the reservoir may serve secondary purposes like fisheries, further diversifying income sources for rural communities.
Current Status and Timeline
As of May 2025, the Dauntri Dam is in its final phase of construction, with major civil works completed. The Ministry of Water Resources has confirmed the project is on schedule for completion by October 2025. Preparations for commissioning, including training for local operators and final equipment testing, are underway.
Water Resources Minister Thor Chetha, accompanied by senior ministry officials and staff from the Battambang provincial water department, conducted an on-site inspection of the project in Rukhak Kiri district on May 8. He noted that the project used innovative construction methods, including tunnelling through mountains, rock excavations, and improved dam foundation reinforcement techniques.
Environmental and Social Considerations
An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was conducted to address potential ecological effects. Measures have been taken to manage sedimentation, maintain downstream flow for ecosystems, and ensure water quality. About 300 families were relocated from the reservoir area, with compensation and resettlement support provided by the government.
The project was implemented with transparency, with regular updates and oversight by both Cambodian and Korean authorities. Environmental monitoring and community engagement continue to ensure that the project remains sustainable and beneficial.
Conclusion
The Dauntri Dam stands as a landmark in Cambodia’s efforts to modernize its water infrastructure. By securing irrigation, mitigating floods, and enhancing rural livelihoods, the dam is poised to deliver lasting benefits to thousands of citizens. With its completion imminent, Dauntri marks a significant step toward water security and agricultural resilience in Cambodia.
