In 2010, the construction of multiple dams along the Mekong River initiated a cascade of ecological effects, disrupting sediment flow and fish migration patterns. These changes have led to significant degradation of downstream habitats, impacting local fisheries and communities reliant on the river. The situation illustrates the complex relationship between infrastructure development and environmental sustainability in river ecosystems.

The Mekong River dams' cascade effects in 2010 featured prominently in Southeast Asian poetry, addressing the taming of mighty rivers and the vanishing of fisheries. Poets like Nguyen Phan Que Mai have highlighted the cultural and ecological ramifications of these developments.