This map shows the status of Mekong mainstream dams for most of the 4300km length of the river. Already China operates 12 large dams the upstream portions of the map which combined store more than 50 billion cubic meters of water and can generate 22,710 MW of electricity. China’s Xiaowan Dam and Nuozhadu Dams are among the largest dams in the world and store about 50% of the active storage (usable water) in the Mekong Basin. 11 more dams are slated for the lower Mekong mainstream in Laos and Cambodia. In 2020 Laos completed the first two of its mainstream dams, the Xayaburi Dam and the Don Sahong Dam. The Luang Prabang Dam began construction in 2022, and three others, Pak Beng, Pak Lay, and Sanakham have completed review processes mandated by the Mekong River Commission and could begin construction any time. In March 2020, Cambodia announced that it would postpone movement on its two planned mainstream dams to after 2030.
Studies produced by the Mekong River Commission and experts inside and outside of the region, including Stimson’s own analysis via the Mekong Dam Monitor, have consistently shown the devastating economic and environmental downstream effects of these dams to the Mekong’s fisheries and agricultural processes on its floodplains from which tens of millions of people draw their livelihoods. This map does not show six other mainstream Mekong dams planned for China’s most upstream portion of the river and also does not show more than 400 dams planned or already constructed on the Mekong’s tributaries. This latest map updates the status of the Tuoba Dam (newly completed), Luang Prabang Dam (under construction) and shows the two dams in Cambodia as postponed.
Feel free to use this image with attribution to the Stimson Center.
