High Island Reservoir

Infobox lake
lake_name = High Island Reservoir
image_lake = High island reservoir trees chingming06.jpg
caption_lake = Some trees standing on a small island
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location = Sai Kung Peninsula
coords = coord|22|22|31|N|114|21|4|E|region:HK_type:waterbody|display=inline,title
type = reservoir
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cities = The High Island Reservoir ( _zh. 萬宜水庫, Wanyi Shuiku), located in the far south eastern part of the Sai Kung Peninsula, was opened in 1978 helping to alleviate water shortage problems in Hong Kong. Its water capacity is approximately 273 million cubic metres. The area it occupies was originally the Kwun Mun Channel (官門海峽), which separated High Island from the Sai Kung peninsula.

History

As a result of the water shutdown by mainland China during the Hong Kong 1967 riots, the government responded with the High Island Reservoir. It was expected to be the same size as Plover Cove. The construction, contracted by a Japanese company cost more than HKD $400 million [Mody, Ashoka. [1997] (1997). Infrastructure Strategies in East Asia: “The ”Untold Story". World Bank Publications. ISBN 0821340271] .

Design

The reservoir was constructed as a part of the High Island Water Scheme which included pipeworks and other supporting infrastructure as well as the reservoir itself. The reservoir was created by constructing two main dams. One was built at the north west of High Island connecting it with the Sai Kung Peninsula at Yuen Ng Fan (元五墳). The other were built in the Southeast of High Island, connecting it with the Sai Kung Peninsula near Po Pin Chau, a stack island. Three smaller dams were also constructed in valleys around the reservoir. Aquaducts totalling 5 miles in length were also constructed to transfer water from streams around Sai Kung Peninsula to the reservoir. Construction spanned 10 years from 1969 to 1979. Two roads were created as part of the scheme, crossing over the dams. This enabled visitors to access a very remote and unspoilt area for recreation. Many of the techniques and technology used, like grouting, was cutting edge at the time.

Refugee camp

A refugee camp was built near the reservoir for hosting refugees and boat people from Vietnam. The area is now a flat piece of grassland that is grazed by cows. It has a comfortable pavilion that leads out of the strip of land.

ee also

* Reservoirs of Hong Kong

References