Klang River
| Klang River (Malay) Sungai Klang |
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| Origin | Kuala Seleh |
| Mouth | Strait of Malacca |
| Basin countries | Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Length | 120 km |
| Source elevation | 100 m |
| Avg. discharge | 50 m³/s |
Klang River is a river which flows through Kuala Lumpur and Selangor in Malaysia and eventually flows into the Straits of Malacca. It is approximately 120 km in length and drains a basin of about 1288 square kilometres. Klang River has 11 major tributaries.
Given the fact that the river flows through Klang Valley which is a heavily populated area of more than four million people, it is considerably polluted. Heavy development has narrowed certain stretches of the river until it resembles a large storm drain. This contributes to flash floods in Kuala Lumpur, especially after heavy rain.
Course
Klang River originates in the highlands, 25 km northeast of Kuala Lumpur. It is joined by 11 major tributaries. These include Gombak River, Batu River, Kerayong River, Damansara River, Keruh River, Kuyoh River, Penchala River and Ampang River. It flows into the Straits of Malacca to the west.
Places named after the river
The river's confluence with the Gombak River gave rise to the name of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's capital city. Kuala Lumpur means "muddy estuary". It is also thought that Klang town is named after the river.
Cities and towns on its banks
Kuala Lumpur is situated at the point where Gombak River flows into Klang River. Further downstream, the river flows through Selangor's state capital, Shah Alam. Klang town is situated on the lower stretches of the river.
Malaysia's biggest sea port, Port Klang, is also situated at the estuary of Klang river.
Dams
There are two major dams upstream of the river; Batu Dam and Klang Gates Dam, which provide water supply to the people of Klang Valley and mitigate floods.
Wildlife
Crocodiles have been spotted along the river at certain spots in the recent past.
Privatisation
The maintenance of Klang River will be privatised in the near future. A thirty-year concession will be awarded to a private company, which is expected to clean and beautify the river from 2006 to 2010. The maintenance cost of the river will be fully borne by the company in return for the permission to harvest river sand and sustainable commercial development.
Flood mitigation
SMART Tunnel
The SMART Tunnel (Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel) is a large stormwater tunnel to mitigate flash floods in Kuala Lumpur which is in its final stages of construction. It will divert water flow from the Kampung Berembang Lake, near Klang River, to Taman Desa Lake, which is near Kerayong River (one of Klang River's tributaries). Water flow can also go the opposite direction, from Kerayong River to Klang River.
References
- Muthiah, W. 7/2/2006. "Three rivers in Selangor to go private soon." The Star. 07/02/2006. p.3.
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