Flow characteristics of the Tasik Chini’s feeder rivers, Pahang, Malaysia

The hydrological evaluation of the seven Tasik Chini feeder rivers was carried out between October and December 2004, February, March and April 2005, to assess the total stream flows for maintaining the Tasik Chini to its level. Total of nine sampling stations were established in this study, namely: Datang River, Cenahan River, Hilir Gumum River, Mid Gumum River, Kura-kura River, Melai River, Hilir Kuala Merupuk River, Hulu Kuala Merupuk River, and Jemberau River. The annual rainfall in the study area ranges from 1488 to 3071 mm or 124 to 256 mm/month. Stream flow rate during the sampling days ranged from 0.033 to 0.908 m 3 /sec during wet season and from 0.004 to 0.245 m 3 / sec during dry season and an average of 0.167 m 3 /sec. Estimated water balance from historical data indicates that Tasik Chini experienced six months of water deficit (29-77 mm) and another six months of surplus (30-305 mm). Water quality analysis based on three water quality parameters - turbidity (4.67 - 28.67 NTU), total suspended solids (1.17 - 79.11 mg/L) and total dissolved solids (22.67 - 184 mg/L) indicates that the water bodies in the upstream area were polluted by physical activities. Recent activities such as mining, deforestation, agricultural and residential activities have taken place in the surrounding areas of the lake. These activities are causing environmentally degradation such as changing of hydrological characteristics of the Tasik Chini.