Pok Fu Lam Reservoir

Infobox lake
lake_name = Pok Fu Lam Reservoir
image_lake = Pokfulam reservoir.jpg
caption_lake = View from the Peak Tower
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caption_bathymetry =
location = Hong Kong
coords =
type = reservoir
inflow =
outflow =
catchment =
basin_countries =
length =
width =
area =
depth =
max-depth =
volume = 260 km³
residence_time =
shore =
elevation =
islands =
cities =
frozen =

Pok Fu Lam Reservoir (Chinese: 薄扶林水塘, Pinyin: Bofulin Shuitang) is the first reservoir in Hong Kong. It is located in a valley in Pok Fu Lam. It is actually two reservoirs with capacity of 260 km³.

History

Before the completion of the reservoir in 1863, the people in the city got their water by nearby streams or wells. These methods however were unable to support rapid growth of population since 1841. Diseases were caused by polluted water.

The Hong Kong Government needed an urgent solution to the problem. Thus, it prepared a reward of 1,000 pounds to anyone who provided a solution to disease on 14th October, 1859. The colonial government also allocated a budget of 25,000 pounds for the project.

On 29th February, 1860, S. B. Rawling, a clerk from Royal Engineers suggested the construction of a dam across the valley of Pokfulam to collect rain water.

The reservoir was completed in 1863. The construction did not meet the needs of the population because of budget-cuts, which left the dam to be far from adequate.

Another reservoir above the original was built to meet the needs of the growing colony in 1877.