Since the Foundation of Chiang Mai, a large to the north and northeast of the city was considered one of seven sacred sites. It was an important source of water, particularly of khlong Mae Kha, the watercourse which circled the eastern side of the city passing through the three communities of Ra Kang, Hua Fai, and Khamphaeng Ngam. This lake appeared first in a map of the year 1900 and was called Nong Bua. It appeared again in a map of 1923 under the name of Nong Khuei and then reappeared as Nong Bua. The Super-Highway was constructed past the western side of the lake and turned a large part of it into private land. With the construction of Rattana Kosin Road in 1982 a large part of the lake was filled. By the year 2000, Following the construction of further Roads, the lake had completely disappeared (Somchote Ongsakul et al. 2003). The water of Khong Mae Kha became stagnant, its remaining sources of water being the sewers of the city and waste thrown away from crowded houses along the waterway. No fish live in its water, and its odour permeates the air. The three urban communities in this area are categorized as slums.