4.1 Water
The main part of the Beung Kiat Ngong Wetlands is not an open surface wetland. Many
different islands with large trees and piles of rocks can be found in the wetlands. Above
the water surface, there is also a thick layer of decayed grasses with new shooting
grasses and emergent weeds as well as bushes growing on top of this layer. The thick
layer of grasses is found mainly in the northwestern wing, where it floats over still water.
Most parts of the wetlands are shallow, although some areas are as deep as 2-3 m in
the dry season. Water permanence during the dry season is about 300-400 ha for the
main part of the wetland. Apart from this area, there are some other scattered small
marshes and swamps that retain water throughout the year. During the wet season
water levels go up, peaking from August to early October, with peaks close to 2 m
above the dry season water levels. This occurs throughout the area. The thick layer of
floating grasses can be observed in the dry season, particularly in April and May, when
the layer becomes harder. Where there is shallow water, the layer is likely a mixture of
both grass and soil. However, in the deep water area there is still water underneath. It is
possible for people to walk on top of the soggy thick layers during the dry season.
Water quality in the wetlands is still quite good as it has not been heavily disturbed, and
because there is a relatively low level of agricultural chemical use around the wetlands
(although there are concerns that this is increasing). Rice paddy fields are found around
the edge of the wetlands and mainly in the southeastern part of the wetlands. Dry crop
cultivation is also practiced but only on a small scale. Because the soil in the area is very
highly fertilized by natural sediments distributed during flood periods, local villagers tend
to cultivate without using large inputs of chemical fertilizers.