Khao Tao Lake

[Big Boy]

Water was down another 1" to 2" today. I have a theory the sandbags are to control the flow, but they'll let the lake drain until the water is low enough to repair the leak. Of course, I'm pretty clueless on these sort of things, but it makes sense to me

I took a couple of snaps of the sandbags today:

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[Nereus]

It is normaly usual with an artificial lake to have some means of both flushing water through it so it does not stagnate, and to maintain a controlled level, as run off from rain will overfill it.

Where those sand bags are appear to be some form of sluice gate, with the level contol being via removeable wooden planks. The planks are lower at one end than the other; perhaps because some of the lower ones have rotted away, or are otherwise not doing their job.The sand bags may be an attempt to hold back the water to enable repairs to be made.

[Big Boy]

Yes, thinking about it, you are probably right. There used to be a mechanism there (big black thing with cogs - apologies for getting technical ), which isn't there now. Maybe it's away for repair/refurbishment at the moment, and the sandbags are a temporary fix.

I'd forgotten about 'the big black thing' until you posted

Either side of the sandbags are the mini overflow walls, which normally look like mini-waterfalls when there is enough water.

[caller]

Pranburi water website states they are not currently sending water to Kao Take because of some sort of renovation work. Same with certain catchment areas in HH District. Works from 28/1 to 3/2. In Thai only, as relayed to me. From Tessabhan Hua Hin FB page.

No idea if that affects the lake. But it affects where I live and head back to tomorrow.

[Big Boy]

I think it would only affect any overflow from the treatment plant, which is usually quite minimal. However, the notice did confirm that water from the lake is not used for domestic consumption.

[Big Boy]

Yes, thinking about it, you are probably right. There used to be a mechanism there (big black thing with cogs - apologies for getting technical ), which isn't there now.

Water level still dropping. Some areas on the inside of the walkway are now dry.

I had a proper look today....... this is where the black thing was.

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[Big Boy]

When it was dry what do you estimate the depth is?

Water level seems to have stabilised at pretty shallow now. Here's a spear fisherman wading out this morning - the depth is fairly constant.

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[PeteC]

Looking at that I would say 6 - 6 1/2 foot max when full.

I wonder where all the big lizards are taking refuge during all this work? And of course my horde of millions of algae eating tadpoles? Probably flushed down the drain.

[Big Boy]

Today, was our first time for a few months seeing the BIG lizards - we saw 3 of the beauties. One of them surprised us when it virtually jumped out of the water to grab a young cat foraging on the bank. I did take a couple of snaps, but even with various filters in the photo editor, you can't really make it out as a cat. It didn't last very long once he'd caught it. With a fish, they get flipped on their end, and they slide down easily, but legs made it a bit more tricky.

[derek60]

I have tried to go for a walk round this lake twice after eating at first Memory Cafe and then Turtle Bay, but access to the walkway is blocked. Are there official access points?

[Big Boy]

No, access to the lake is totally open. However, Memory Cafe demolished their access point about a year ago. I think people were using it to access the walkway as opposed to using the cafe. Turtle Bay does have an access point, but I doubt its public access i.e. there is a wooden draw bridge type of affair, but the bridge is usually up.

There iw Pin Up Cafe just before Memory Cafe, which has a solid access to the walkway. I usually park near Remember Cafe in the village itself, do my walk, and then drop in for a coffee or smoothie afterwards.

[Big Boy]

thinking about it, you are probably right. There used to be a mechanism there (big black thing with cogs - apologies for getting technical ), which isn't there now. Maybe it's away for repair/refurbishment at the moment, and the sandbags are a temporary fix.

It's back

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and the sand bags have gone

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All we need now is for a heavy shower or two

[Big Boy]

A strange raft carrying some sort of drilling rig has appeared on the lake for the last 2 days. Manned by what we assume are Tessebahn workmen, we've no idea what they are doing.

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[hhinner]

^^ Not much, by the look of it.

[Big Boy]

Today's lake walk was after dark. We had a colourful surprise when we got to the Memories Cafe corner - it is now illuminated, and has a working roundabout in the gardens.

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