Chinit River

The Chinit River is a Cambodian river. It is a major tributary of the Tonlé Sap Lake, which joins the Tonlé Sap River at its downstream end in the larger Mekong basin. It is located in Kampong Thom Province. The river is unusual in that it loops back into the same river system, accounting for its 264 km (164 mi) length, leaving Tonlé Sap lake and entering its river again downstream. On the riverbank is the prehistoric archaeological site of Samrong Sen. Water resource projects began in 1971 and ended in 2003, with varying degrees of success. The river serves as a vital trade route.

The Chinit River, also known as the Stung Chinit River, is a major tributary of the Tonlé Sap River, which flows northeast from the great lake of the same name at 12°31′38′′N 104°27′31′′E in central Cambodia. It rejoins the Tonlé Sap system at 13°32′N 105°47′E in the river. The river is about 264 kilometers (164 miles) long and loops out and into the Tonlé Sap rsystem. Its width varies between 60 and 90 meters (200 and 300 feet) over a 110-kilometer stretch of river (68 mi).

The river drains a catchment area of 5,649 km2 (2,181 sq mi), including the catchment area of its tributary, the Stung Tang Krasaing, of 1,145 km2 (442 sq mi), up to its outflow into Tonlé Sap Lake. The river flows through Laos' Bolaven Plateau, reaching its highest elevation point of 288 meters (945 feet) at Phumi Chrach and ending at Tonlé Sap Lake at an elevation of 5 meters (16 ft). There are gentler slopes visible further downstream. Bung Real Lake is its main body of water.

Santuk District Capital is the main city along the river. On its right bank is Samrong Sen, a Neolithic prehistoric archaeological site.

Length: 264 km (164 mi)