Isn’t Lau Shui Hang Tam a poetic name? It evokes images of flowing water and serene pools. Lau Shui Hang Tam is part of the Pat Sin Leng Country Park. This reservoir was built in 1968. It was part of the Plover Cove Reservoir engineering program.
Lau Shui Hang Tam is located in the eastern part of the North District. You can find it at the northeast area of Bird’s Hill. It is also at the northeast end of Sheung Shui-Fanling Plain. This reservoir covers 3.5 hectares. It can hold 170000 cubic meters of water.
The reservoir collects water from Pat Sin Leng’s northwestern part. It sends this water to the Plover Cove Reservoir. This happens through a water tunnel. Lau Shui Hang Tam also irrigates nearby farmland. The Lau Shui Heung Country Trail goes through the reservoir area.
The main dam here is concrete. It stands 24 meters high and stretches 54.9 meters long. There is also a secondary dam. This one is 7.3 meters high and 39 meters long. The reservoir is small but vital.
The Lau Shui Hang Tam is the main source of the Kwan Tei River. Water from the reservoir flows into Kwan Tei. Then, it joins the Ng Tung River.
Originally the reservoir was formed at the head of a valley. A 12-meter concrete dam and a 10-meter earth dam were built. They connect to a tunnel for water transfer to Hok Tau Reservoir. Construction started in 1966. It finished in 1968.
In 2018 hikers noticed the Lau Shui Hang Tam had almost dried up. Cracks appeared at the bottom. People could walk across the reservoir bed. The Water Supplies Department said a lack of rain caused this. Nearby villagers used the water for irrigation. The Hok Tau Reservoir nearby did not dry up. It is also used for irrigation. Some suspected the Lung Shan Tunnel Project had drained groundwater.
Rainfall from Tropical Storm Ewiniar filled the reservoir. Nearly 100 mm of rain fell in 3 days. This was more than the previous two months combined. Over 200 mm fell in 24 hours in the northern New Territories. This restored the reservoir to its former glory.
The Lau Shui Hang Tam is surrounded by tree-lined valleys. Mature woodlands add to its beauty. Melaleuca trees grow by the reservoir. They create a picturesque scene.
Its deep waters give the reservoir a green color. It is known as the mirror of the sky in Hong Kong. The bottom is covered with sand and rocks. This provides a home for different fish. You can even find Channa asiatica here. This fish is uncommon in Hong Kong. Its location in a deep valley once made it a popular barbecue spot.
Lau Shui Hang Tam offers a tranquil escape. It shows the importance of water management. It also highlights the beauty of Hong Kong’s natural landscapes.