Sumiko Kubo

Location of a pre-Angkor capital city in relation to geomorphological features of lower reach of the Stung Sen River, central Cambodia

The Sambor Prei Kuk archaeological site in lower reach of the Stung Sen River, central Cambodia, is the site of the capital city of the pre- Angkor state of Chenla. The location of Sambor Prei Kuk is discussed in relation to the geomorphological characteristics of lower reach of the Stung Sen River and the requirements of the inhabitants. The uplands were divided into upland I, which is characterized by hills, and uplands II and III, both of which have flat surfaces, with upland III lower than upland II. The present river follows a meandering course within a conspicuous meander scroll zone, and deposits along the channel are repeatedly eroded and redeposited. Back marsh areas have gradually filled with suspended flood water sediments during the last 4600 years at an accumulation rate of 0.6 mm/yr. The floodplain and lake plain were divided into five zones to evaluate the monsoonal flood risk and accessibility to upland, considering uplands distribution. Sambor Prei Kuk on upland II with the port town adjacent the river is situated on the place where water transport is feasible and the risk of monsoonal flood is low, which means the people accommodated to the highly different dry and monsoonal environment.

Characteristics of extreme monsoon floods and local land use in the Lower Mekong Basin, Cambodia

Rivers in the Lower Mekong Basin, Cambodia, receive additional water and waterborne sediments annually during the monsoon. In the 2011 monsoon season, the region was inundated by extreme flood events. This chapter identifies inundation characteristics and explains fluvial landforms developed over a long-term flood history near Phnom Penh and Kampong Thom in Cambodia, based on land classification and field surveys. Understanding the development of fluvial plains and promoting land use in accordance with river behavior can minimize flood risk and allow local populations to live sustainably in flood-prone areas.