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The Mekong: water and dams in the countries that dispute it

The countries in the dispute over the Mekong are China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Across Cambodia, 75% of renewable water comes from other countries (FAO AQUASTAT, 2023); Global Dam Watch lists 44 large dams on the river and its main tributaries in these countries.

Source: WRI Aqueduct, accessed on 25 Oct 2026, aqueduct.wri.org (CC BY 4.0)2023Updated 25 Oct 2026

The Mekong involves China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam signed the Agreement on the Cooperation for the Sustainable Development of the Mekong River Basin on 5 April 1995, setting up the Mekong River Commission. China and Myanmar became dialogue partners of the Commission in 1996. The Xayaburi dam on the Mekong main stem in Laos began commercial operation in October 2019. In October 2020, China agreed to share year-round river measurements from the Lancang, the upper Mekong in China, with the Commission.

Drafted with AI from cited sources and reviewed by the editor

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Water stress in the countries that dispute the river
Under 10%10–20%20–40%40–80%Over 80%
Not in this dispute
Large dam (size: reservoir capacity)

Borders show who controls an area in practice, as drawn by Natural Earth. Disputed borders are dashed. Borders shown do not imply endorsement. How we treat borders

The Mekong: water and damsWater stress in the countries that dispute the river

Countries in the dispute

Each country’s water stress on WRI Aqueduct’s 1979–2019 baseline and projected for 2050, the share of its renewable water that flows in from other countries (FAO AQUASTAT), and its large dams on the Mekong and main tributaries (Global Dam Watch). Listed roughly upstream first.
CountryWater stress, 1979–2019Projected water stress, 2050Renewable water from abroad, 2023Dams on the river
China2.82.81%9
Myanmar2.12.214%0
Laos0.70.943%15
Thailand3.63.749%11
Cambodia1.91.775%1
Vietnam2.12.259%8

Source: WRI Aqueduct, accessed on 25 Oct 2026, aqueduct.wri.org (CC BY 4.0)baseline 1979–2019; projection 2050Updated 25 Oct 2026

Source: FAO AQUASTAT2023Updated 25 Oct 2026

Source: Global Dam WatchUpdated 25 Oct 2026

Dams in Global Dam Watch

The 44 dams in Global Dam Watch on the Mekong and its main tributaries in these countries, largest reservoir first.
NuozhaduLancangChina23.7 km³2014
XiaowanLacangChina15 km³2012
Nam NgumNam NgumLaos7 km³1972
Nam Ngum 2Nam NgumLaos4.2 km³2011
Nam Theun 2Nam TheunLaos3.2 km³2010
Xe Kaman 1Xe KamanLaos3.2 km³2015
Nam Theun INam KadinhLaos3 km³2021
Ubol RatanaNam PongThailand2.3 km³1966
SirindhornLam Dom NoiThailand2 km³1971
Lower Sesan IISesanCambodia1.8 km³2017
Lam PaoChiThailand1.4 km³1969
XayaburiMekongLaos1.3 km³2019
Nam Ngiep INam NgiepLaos1.2 km³2019
JinghongLacangChina1.1 km³2009
Plei KrongSe SanVietnam1 km³2006
Xe Pian Xe Nam NoyXe Nam NoyLaos1 km³2019
YaliSe SanVietnam1 km³2001
DachaoshanLacangChina940 million m³2002
ManwanLancang JiangChina920 million m³1995
Se San IVSe SanVietnam893 million m³2008
Buon Tua SrahKrong NoVietnam787 million m³2007
MiaoweiLancangChina660 million m³2016
HouayhoHouayhoLaos649 million m³1999
Nam Mang 3Nam GnongLaos494 million m³2004
GongguoqiaoLacangChina316 million m³2012
Nam Ngum 5Nam TingLaos314 million m³2012
LamtakhongMunThailand310 million m³1969
Pak MunMunThailand229 million m³1990
Nam GnouangNam GnouangLaos226 million m³2013
ChulabhornNam PhromThailand188 million m³1972
Nam LeukNam LeukLaos185 million m³2000
Krong H'nangKrong H'nangVietnam172 million m³2010
Nam PungNam PungThailand166 million m³1965
LamphraphloengMunThailand152 million m³1967
Nam Ngiep IINam SenLaos152 million m³2015
LamnangrongMunThailand150 million m³1982
Ea Soup ThuongEa SupVietnam146 million m³2004
Xe Kaman 3Xe KamanLaos141 million m³2013
Krong Buk HaKrong BukVietnam110 million m³2014
ZibiheTrib. Yangbi JiangChina93 million m³-99
Buon KuopSrepokVietnam63 million m³2009
HaixihaiTrib. Yangbi JiangChina62 million m³-99
Lam Chang HanMunThailand26 million m³1992
Huai KumNam PhromThailand23 million m³1982

Source: Global Dam Watch (GRanD)Updated 25 Oct 2026

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