The ongoing restoration of a remote 11th-century Khmer temple in Stung Treng province has led to the discovery of a sophisticated system of hidden sluice gates. These stone-carved gates were integrated into the temple's foundation to manage seasonal floodwaters from the Mekong tributaries, serving both a ritual and practical hydraulic purpose.
Preservation experts from the National Authority for Sambor Prei Kuk noted that the sluice system is remarkably similar to the hydraulic engineering seen at Angkor, yet adapted for the unique topography of the northeastern plateau. This finding underscores the widespread distribution of advanced water management technology across the Khmer Empire during the reign of Suryavarman I.