Completed in 1957 the Tai Lam Chung Reservoir was a monumental project. It included constructing a main dam. The magnificent enclosure was the most impressive concrete structure in Hong Kong. It towered 150 ft above the lake. Pipelines covered the entire Kowloon Peninsula. They linked up with the territory-wide water supply network.
We stand before the Tai Lam Chung Bridge. It carries traffic over what was once Tai Lam Chung Valley. This valley is now largely submerged. It forms part of the Tai Lam Chung Reservoir.
The Tai Lam Chung Reservoir is the first reservoir built in Hong Kong after World War II. The construction commenced in 1952. The valley was dammed. Three supplemental dams crossed nearby valleys. Its water storage capacity is about 21 million cubic meters. The reservoir is entirely surrounded by the Tai Lam Country Park.
To build the Tai Lam Chung Reservoir, the government relocated several villages. These were the Tai Lam Villages and Kan Uk Tei Villages. They resettled in the Tai Uk Wai Villages. Several villages were flooded by the reservoir. These included Tai Lam Village, Tai Wai Village, Kan Uk Tei Village and Wu Uk Village. When the water level drops low, the remains of these villages can still be seen.
In the late 1960s Hong Kong faced water shortages. The government imported water from Dongjiang in China. The water was transferred to Tai Lam Chung Reservoir. This made it important in Hong Kong’s water supply.
Tai Lam Chung Reservoir is nicknamed “the Thousand Island Lake of Hong Kong”. This is due to its scenic similarity to the actual Thousand Island Lake.
The Tai Lam Country Park surrounds the Tai Lam Chung Reservoir. It was established in 1979. It occupies 54 square kilometers. Tai Lam means large in Chinese. Nearby is Siu Lam, where siu means small.
Tai Lam Country Park offers many attractions. There are barbecue and picnic sites along Route Twisk. Many trails wind through the park. The MacLehose Trail and the Kap Lung Forest Trail start near the Country Park Management Centre. The Twisk Nature Trail introduces the area’s natural environment.
Tai Lam Chung Reservoir played a crucial role in Hong Kong’s water supply. It is a beautiful area. The Tai Lam Chung Bridge stands as a testament to Hong Kong’s engineering. It is a link to the past. It is a reminder of the villages that now lie beneath the water. It is a connection to the present.