Earth from Space - Image Description

STS087-768-079 Lam Pao (Reservoir), Thailand November 1997
The Lam Pao, irregular-shaped reservoir (dark feature) near the center of the image is located on the Khorat Plateau in northeast Thailand. Although the Lam Pao Dam generates some hydroelectric power, the reservoir's primary function is to serve as a watershed structure to provide water for irrigation to the intensively cultivated farms throughout the region. The dam that is largest earth fill dam in Thailand (approximately 5 miles-8 km in length) is located along the southeast end of the reservoir. As a result of an improving water utilization plan in this region, many farmers can produce two crops of rice per year from the same fields (double cropping).

This service is provided by the International Space Station program and the JSC Earth Science & Remote Sensing Unit, ARES Division, Exploration Integration Science Directorate.