Irrigation Department proceeds with long-term dredging of the Chi River between Ubon Ratchathani and Maha Sarakham to reduce flooding and develop agriculture in Isan

The long-term Chi River dredging project covering the area from Ubon Ratchathani to Maha Sarakham, which began last month, has been accelerated by the regional Irrigation Office because of the need to address flash flooding during the rainy season and to develop irrigation systems to support local farmers’ cropping. The project’s main tasks include removing sand and aquatic weeds, reinforcing embankment lines to stabilize riverbanks, and installing pumps at key points to help drain floodwaters.

The provincial governor and the director of the Irrigation Office said years of accumulated sediment and tree stumps have significantly reduced the river’s capacity, causing repeated flooding in low-lying areas that affects homes and farmland. This dredging project aims to increase the Chi River’s flow capacity during the rainy season by about 20–30% and reduce the risk of flash floods, particularly in districts with a history of risk, such as Mueang Ubon Ratchathani district and Kantharawichai district in Maha Sarakham.

Technically, the dredging work requires careful environmental impact assessment. Irrigation officials have collaborated with academics from local universities to study impacts on the aquatic ecosystem. Activities include collecting soil and water samples, measuring depths of former channel beds, and monitoring fish populations that might be affected, in order to design compensation and habitat restoration measures after dredging—such as creating compensated fish-breeding sites and conserving banks using natural materials. The plan also calls for installing sediment-filtering systems at water outlets to prevent downstream sediment contamination.

The project has generated both positive responses and concerns from communities. Farmers agree that improved drainage will reduce damage to crops—especially rainy-season rice and flood-affected vegetables—but local fishers and environmental groups worry about impacts on freshwater fish habitats and permanent ecosystems. Some community representatives are calling for compensation and community involvement in project planning. Officials say they will open channels for public feedback and hold community forums before carrying out work in highly sensitive areas.

From a tourism perspective, dredging and river reorganization could bring benefits: developers expect to create water routes for ecotourism, such as Chi River boat tours and riverside nature trails, offering opportunities for local communities to earn income through local guiding services and riverside eateries. However, tourism operators will also need to follow conservation measures to avoid long-term ecological damage.

The Irrigation Office said the Chi River dredging project will run for several years, with work divided into phases to ensure sustainable management and continuous monitoring. The agency expects to finalize results from the first phase by the end of the fiscal year; findings from that assessment will feed into a long-term water management plan developed with local administrative organizations and farmer groups to balance economic development, community safety, and environmental conservation in the Isan region.