List of rivers of Cambodia facts for kids

Cambodia is a country in Southeast Asia with many important rivers. These rivers are like the country's lifelines. They provide water for farming, transportation, and even fun activities. The biggest and most famous river is the Mekong. It flows through many countries, including Cambodia.

The mighty Mekong River in Kratié Province.

The Hav River flowing through Preah Sihanouk Province.

The beautiful Sangkae River in Battambang Province.

The Teuk Chhou River in Kampot Province.

The Tonle Sap river near Phnom Penh.

Understanding River Systems

Rivers are usually grouped by where their water eventually flows. This is called a drainage basin. Imagine a giant funnel where all the rain and smaller streams flow into one big river, and then that river empties into a sea or ocean. All the land that contributes water to that river system is its drainage basin.

In Cambodia, rivers mainly flow into two large areas: the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand.

Rivers Flowing to the South China Sea

Many of Cambodia's rivers are part of the huge Mekong River system. The Mekong is one of the longest rivers in the world!

• Saigon River
• Mekong
  • Bassac River (also called Tonle Bassac)
    • The Bassac River is a branch of the Mekong. It splits off and flows separately.
  • Tonlé Sap
    • The Tonlé Sap is a very special lake and river system. It connects to the Mekong River. During the rainy season, the Mekong's water flows into the Tonlé Sap lake, making it much bigger. Then, in the dry season, the water flows back out to the Mekong.
    • Krang Ponley River (Stung Krang Ponley)
    • Boribo River (Stung Boribo)
    • Chinit River (Stung Chinit)
      • Kambot River (Chinit River)
      • Slap River (Stung Slap)
      • Tang Krasang River (Stung Tag Krasang)
    • Sen River (Stung Sen)
      • Sraka Moan River (Stung Sraka Moan)
      • Kambot River (Sen River)
    • Stoung River (Stung Stoung)
      • Neang Sa Sngach River (Stung Neang Sa Sngach)
    • Chickreng River (Stung Chickreng)
    • Pursat River (also Pothisat River; Stung Pursat, also Stung Pothisat)
      • Peam River (Stung Peam)
    • Moung Russey River (Stung Moung Russey)
    • Roluos River (Stung Roluos)
    • Siem Reap River (Stung Siem Reap)
    • Kambot River (Tonlé Sap)
    • Sangkae River (also Sang Ke River; Stung Sangker, also Stung Sang Ke)
      • Chas River (Stung Chas)
      • Sreng River (Stung Sreng)
      • Battambang River (Stung Battambang)
      • Mongkol Borei River (Stung Mongkol Borei)

*Pheas River (Stung Pheas) *Kampong Krasaing River (Stung Kampong Krasaing) *Sisophon River (Stung Sisophon) *Svay Chek River (Stung Svay Chek)

• • Tonlé San
    • Kong River (Stung Kong)
    • Srepok River (Stung Srepok)

Rivers Flowing to the Gulf of Thailand

The rivers in this group flow directly into the Gulf of Thailand, which is part of the South China Sea. These rivers are often shorter and closer to the coast.

• Kampong Trak River (Stung Kampong Trak)
• Kah Bpow River (Stung Kah Bpow)
• Tatai River (Stung Tatai)