Mekong Flows Team

Research Group Summary

Hydropower development is booming in Southeast Asia due to rapid economic growth and energy demands.  Over 120 hydropower projects are being proposed for the Mekong basin, but potential impacts to natural ecosystems and fisheries are of grave concern.  The University of Canterbury's “Mekong Flows” team, funded by the Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund and the MacArthur Foundation, have been working with the Mekong River Commission, Conservation International, and various NGO’s and Universities to quantify the potential impact of hydropower development, water abstractions, and climatic change on water flows, sediment, and ecosystem productivity of the Mekong River and its tributaries. More information can be found at: www.mekongflows.org

Key Contact

• Thomas Cochrane: Group Leader; Civil and Natural Resources Engineering

Members - UC Staff

• Mauricio Arias: Researcher; Civil and Natural Resources Engineering
• Thomas Cochrane: Group Leader; Civil and Natural Resources Engineering
• Thanapon Piman: Researcher; Civil and Natural Resources Engineering

• Engineering and Technology: Hydrological and Ecological Engineering; Modelling; Resource/Environment Engineering
• Environmental Studies: Environmental Studies

• Mekong Flows