In early March 2025, Lao Dong Newspaper reporters were present at Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant (Hoa Binh city), according to the records, the water level above the lake has dropped lower than when the hydropower plant released floodwaters (July, August, September 2024).
According to observations, all bottom spillways of the hydropower plant are closed, above the low-lying lake area, revealing many cliffs on the coast that can be observed with the naked eye.
Talking to reporters, Mr. Ngo Van Thong (73 years old, residing in Thinh Lang ward) - head of the fishing village - said that the water level of the Hoa Binh Hydropower Reservoir was about ten meters lower than at the time of flood discharge.
According to Mr. Thong, this is normal because in the dry season, it does not rain, so there is no water pouring in, along with the hydropower plant operating the generators, leading to a sharp decrease in the water level in the lake.
"The current water level cannot greatly affect fishing and aquaculture activities; if the water is too depleted or rises too quickly, too large, it can be affected" - Mr. Thong shared.
In addition, the drop in water level revealing many cliffs and the blue water of the lake has attracted tourists to visit and take photos.
According to Mr. Ngo Thanh Tung - Deputy Director of Tay Bac Media and Tourism Company, at the beginning of the new year, the water level of Hoa Binh Lake has dropped sharply, creating a beautiful natural landscape, and at the same time, this place is also a spiritual place like the shore of the Temple of the Author of the Sea, so it attracts many tourists.
"At the beginning of spring, every day, tourist boats welcome thousands of tourists from all over the world to travel spring, celebrate and travel during the holidays, thereby creating stable income as well as promoting the tourism industry of Hoa Binh province," Mr. Tung assessed.
Mr. Bui Van Ky - Chairman of Hien Luong Commune, Da Bac (Hoa Binh Lake Commune) - said: "The lake water level has decreased by nearly 20m compared to the time the hydropower plant discharged floodwaters. In general, people's lives have not been affected much".
According to Mr. Ky, households working in underwater production have difficulty moving due to mud, while changes in the water environment have caused some types of fish to be affected by epidemics. From around May to June, when the water level drops deeper, the impact becomes more obvious.
"However, due to the large slope of the lake's terrain, the number of exposed underground cliffs is still insignificant," Mr. Ky informed.
According to Hoa Binh Hydropower Company, the water level of Hoa Binh Hydropower Reservoir in mid-March was more than 110m (dead water level was 80m).
In September 2024, Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant opened 3 floodgates consecutively (at 12:00, 13:00 and 15:00 on September 22). At this time, the water level of Hoa Binh Lake is sometimes at 117m (dead water level 80m), the water flow to the lake is 3,179m3/s, the water flow released downstream is 2,032m3/s.
