Mainland Southeast Asia International River Upper Reach Hydrological Dataset (MSAIRHD)

A compilation of historical daily streamflow, sediment concentration, and water level data from 129 stations in the upper reaches of the Irrawaddy, Salween, Mekong, and Red River during the period 1958–1987. A total of 74 hydrological indices were calculated based on these records. In terms of streamflow indices, data were obtained from 12 stations in the Irrawaddy (average record length 23 years), 13 stations in the Salween (average 18.8 years), 34 stations in the Mekong (average 21.1 years), and 28 stations in the Red River (average 23.3 years). For water level, records cover 14 stations in the Irrawaddy (average 20.92 years), 20 stations in the Salween (average 15.57 years), 48 stations in the Mekong (average 18.75 years), and 35 stations in the Red River (average 19.68 years). Sediment concentration data are available from 5 stations in the Irrawaddy (average 13 years), 7 stations in the Salween (average 15.85 years), 16 stations in the Mekong (average 14.37 years), and 12 stations in the Red River (average 17.25 years). Overall, water level stations are the most numerous across the four basins, while sediment concentration stations are the fewest. The hydrological indices derived in this study are crucial for elucidating the historical hydrological evolution in the upper Irrawaddy, Salween, Mekong, and Red River basins.