Gazing at the vast expanse of Shenzhen Reservoir, can you imagine the sheer manpower that brought this structure to life? Shenzhen Reservoir, sometimes called Shum Chun Reservoir, stands as a testament to human determination and a symbol of cross-border cooperation. Initially conceived to irrigate farmland, generate electricity, and supply the Po On district, the reservoir quickly became a vital water source for Hong Kong.
In the late 1950s, Hong Kong faced a severe water shortage. The burgeoning population and rapid industrialization stretched the city’s resources thin. Local efforts proved insufficient. The colonial government began exploring alternative solutions. Across the border, in Guangdong province, a solution was taking shape.
The Shenzhen Reservoir project, championed by Tao Zhu, was approved and construction began in August 1959. Over 10,000 workers, armed with basic tools like hoes and shovels, toiled tirelessly. Their numbers swelled to 40,000 as the deadline to complete the dam before the 1960 rainy season approached. These workers, many of them young migrants, lived in makeshift shelters and worked long hours. One can almost picture a young “flying girl,” Zhang Jingai, her empty cart gaining momentum as she descended the dam’s slope, her feet lifting off the ground. The dam, a marvel of compacted earth, was completed in just 100 days, a feat celebrated with much fanfare.
However, the story of Shenzhen Reservoir wasn’t without its challenges. Typhoon Mary in June 1960 brought torrential rains, filling the reservoir overnight. The spillway, still under construction, couldn’t handle the sudden influx of water. The rising water levels threatened the integrity of the main dam. A tense standoff ensued as the army prepared to demolish a temporary dam to release the water, a decision averted only by the storm’s eventual retreat.
The next hurdle involved securing 800 tons of steel for the 3.8km pipeline to the Hong Kong border. This necessitated a trip to Beijing, highlighting the project’s importance. On the Hong Kong side, a new pumping station and a 16km pipeline were constructed to connect the reservoir to the existing water supply system. This rapid construction, often operating 24/7, involved negotiations with hundreds of landowners.
Finally, on November 15, 1960, the water supply agreement between Guangdong and Hong Kong was signed. This agreement, a result of delicate political maneuvering, provided Hong Kong with much-needed water while navigating the complex relationship between the two regions. The agreement specified the amount of water, the delivery method, and the payment rate.
Shenzhen Reservoir, with its capacity of 45.77 million cubic meters, became a lifeline for Hong Kong. It served as the largest reservoir supplying the city until the completion of Plover Cove in 1968. Today, as you stand before Shenzhen Reservoir, remember the tireless workers, the political negotiations, and the engineering marvels that made this life-giving resource a reality. It stands as a reminder that even in times of scarcity, cooperation and human ingenuity can overcome the most daunting challenges.