The Lake is the largest fresh water in South East Asia. Its
dimension changes depending on the monsoon and dry season. During
raining season from June to October, the lake is filled by water
flowing from the Mekong with 14 meters in depth and expands the
surface of 10,000 square Kilometers.
In dry season from November to May its size 3,000 square
kilometers with two meters in depth and water flows out from the
Lake to the Mekong, in and out flowing is the natural phenomenon
occurrences.
The flooded forest surrounding the edge of the lake is the best
shelter and also very important for all kinds of fishes spawned and
breeding babies. This lake providing many of biodiversities, over
300 species of fresh water fishes, as well as snakes, crocodiles,
tortoises, turtles and otters. More than 100 varieties water birds
including storks, pelicans, etc
The Lake is also an important commercial resource, providing
more than half of the fish consumed in Cambodia. In harmony with
the specialized ecosystems, the human occupations at the edges of
the lake is similarly distinctive - floating villages, towering
stilted houses, huge fish traps, and an economy and way of life
deeply intertwined with the lake, the fish, the wildlife and the
cycles of rising and falling waters
