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This paper presents a multi-method approach to understand how local knowledge of the spatial and temporal patterns of floods, droughts, and rainfall can be integrated with scientific information along a flood-prone section of the lower Mekong River in Kratie Province, Cambodia. Participatory hazard mapping of community members’ knowledge of the movement of floodwaters through the landscape enabled interpretation of flood extent mapping using Synthetic Aperture Radar images from the Sentinel-1A satellite. Seasonal calendars of weather patterns and livelihood activities, together with local indicators of flooding, rainfall, and drought were compared with trends in 35 years of rainfall data, and highlighted “pressure points” at the beginning and end of the rainy season where agriculture may be particularly impacted by climate change. We discuss potential applications of our findings for adaptation and hazard planning.

The approach presented in this article emphasizes how different forms of knowledge can contribute to the development of a shared, co-produced narrative that tells the story of how seasonal and interannual variation in rainfall and floodwaters affect livelihoods and landscapes along the Mekong River. A mixed-methods, interdisciplinary approach such as the one presented here can be used in the gathering of data to inform adaptation planning using locally-relevant information and knowledge products. Further research could examine ways of integrating multiple knowledges for data coupling, integrated risk assessment, and future scenario modeling in disaster risk reduction planning.