Angkor Baray Reservoirs

Timeline

1. 900–1100East Baray · AngkorKhmer monarchs excavated large rectangular reservoirs on the Angkor plain, collecting rainwater through embankments and canal systems to provide a steady source for rice irrigation and religious ceremonies, marking the maturation of Angkor hydraulic technology.
2. 1181–1220West Baray · AngkorThe West Baray, about 8 km long and 2.1 km wide, was one of the largest artificial lakes in Southeast Asia at the time, connected to Angkor Thom and the Bayon area, reflecting the empire's water-management capacity at its peak.
3. 1381–1390Angkor baray system · AngkorThe Khmer Empire's center had shifted south to Phnom Penh, but the Angkor baray still sustained surrounding agricultural irrigation and monastic settlements; the reservoir system entered a phase of maintenance use, laying the foundation for later rice cultivation in the Siem Reap area.