The canal of the Mega Rice Project being blocked in Pulang Pisau. Surface levels were recorded daily from December 2004, while groundwater levels were measured weekly through observation wells. Credit: Rhett A. Butler/MongabayDuring the dry season, the difference between water levels immediately upstream and downstream of the first dam reached almost 60 centimetres. Upstream, the minimum surface water level remained within about 30 centimetres of the peat surface. Government officials said improved policies and technology would prevent a repeat of the Mega Rice Project.