After many weeks, the water level of Son La Hydropower Reservoir has dropped due to the severe heat, and the water has now risen again. The lives of people living along the lake have gradually stabilized, tourism, aquaculture and exploitation activities have also flourished again.
In early July, reporters from Lao Dong Newspaper were present in Quynh Nhai commune (Son La province) - which is considered the largest lake tourism and cage fish farming center in the region.
It is noted that the lake's water is clear and the water level is rising every day. The wharves and tourist attractions have become bustling again, the busy boats take visitors to explore the poetic natural landscape of Son La Hydropower Reservoir.
Mr. La Van Phong - Director of Quynh Nhai Travel Tourism Joint Stock Company - shared: "Since the beginning of June, the water level in the reservoir has been deep, sometimes only at 177m, close to the dead water level (1755.03m). The water recedes deeply, leaving the hillsides bare in the middle of the river, the piers of the Pa Uon bridge soar high.
Waterway traffic and tourism activities were severely affected. However, in just over a week, the water has begun to rise sharply, tourists have returned, especially on weekends, the number of tourists booking tours to explore Uy Phong Bay is gradually increasing".
Not only tourism, fishing and aquaculture activities are also recovering positively.
Mr. Quang Van Hop - a member of the Liep Te Aquaculture and General Service Cooperative - said: "My family has 15 fish cages, before when the water receded, we had to pull the rafts away from the shore to avoid the heat and ensure the depth for the fish to grow. In the past few days, the water has risen rapidly, so I have moved the fish rafts to the old location to facilitate food care and transportation. The fish have developed stably again, I am very happy.
In Xu Xam village (Chieng Lao commune), Mr. Lo Van Ngam - a fisherman who has been involved in shrimp fishing on the lake for many years - said: "When the water is low, there are very few shrimp and fish. Now that the water has risen, I can pull 5-7kg of various shrimp per day. Large shrimp is immediately purchased by traders for 100,000 VND/kg. People around the lake are excited because the water is high, so there are many fish and shrimp".
As of July 4, according to information from Son La Hydropower Plant, the lake's water level has reached 197m - still low compared to normal water level (215m), but enough to basically restore economic and people's activities.
Although the lake bed still has traces of the dry season - alluvial land, old stone steps revealed along the shore - the water surface area has expanded significantly. Along the lake, you can see small groups of boats of people fishing, pulling nets, and harvesting shrimp and fish.
Ms. Luong Hoang Trang - a tourist from To Hieu ward (Son La city) - shared: "When I heard that the lake water had risen again, I took the opportunity to travel with my family. I really like Uy Phong Bay because of its clear, peaceful water and poetic scenery. Hopefully, in the coming time, the lake water will continue to be stable for tourism to develop further".
Son La Hydropower Reservoir plays an important role not only in hydropower but also as the main source of livelihood for thousands of households living along the reservoir. When the water rises, people's livelihoods are also unblocked - cage fish farming is convenient, shrimp fishing is flourishing, eco-tourism and accommodation, transportation, food and beverage services are all bustling again.
People living along the lake are expecting that, along with favorable weather and support from local authorities, economic and tourism activities on the water surface of Son La Hydropower Reservoir will become increasingly bustling, creating new growth momentum for this large lake area.
