Journey back in time to the remarkable story of Qinglinjing Reservoir. This reservoir stands not just as a body of water but as a testament to human ingenuity. It also represents the collaborative spirit between Shenzhen and Hong Kong.
Qinglinjing Reservoir is one of ten major reservoirs. They were constructed in the Guangdong area. This construction happened during a time when China was facing challenges. These challenges included famine and the repercussions of the Great Leap Forward policies. Water conservation became a priority. The decision was made to build these reservoirs.
The reservoir construction highlights the close relationship between Shenzhen and Hong Kong. The project aimed to supply water to Hong Kong. Premier Zhou Enlai closely monitored the scheme. He provided assistance in securing essential materials. This underscored the importance of the project at a national level.
The primary goals of Qinglinjing Reservoir were ambitious. They included irrigating 2000 acres of farmland. It also was meant to generate 320 kilowatts of electricity. Supplying water to the residents of the Po On district was another goal. But there was always a desire to supply water to Hong Kong.
The location of the reservoir is strategic. It is situated 3.8km north of Hong Kong. It lies in a range of hills with a catchment area of 60.5 hectares. The dam is an impressive structure. It is formed from compacted earth and spans between two hillsides. The straight dam has a bend on the east side. This design choice follows a spur on the hillside. The structure is 30m high and nearly 1000m long. Its total volume is around 1.8 million m3.
Constructing Qinglinjing Reservoir was no small feat. More than 10000 migrant workers used simple tools. They used hoes, shovels, picks, and handcarts. They worked tirelessly on the main dam. To speed up the process, the workforce increased. It rose to 40000 workers. They also used 5000 carts and some tractors. These tractors helped compact the rollers.
An interesting story involves an 18-year-old girl named Zhang Jingai. She was known as the “flying girl”. She worked on the construction site. When taking empty carts down the dam slope, the weight of the cart was significant. It was more than the operators. This caused their feet to leave the ground. The vehicle “flew” down the slope at high speed.
By February 1960, the dam was more than 20m high. By March 4th, the dam was completed. It was two months ahead of schedule. The dam became known as the “100 days dam”. On March 5th, the original guests from Hong Kong returned. They celebrated the completed works.
Today, Qinglinjing Reservoir stands as a symbol of collaboration. It also stands as a symbol of resilience. It reminds us of the challenges overcome. It also highlights the enduring connection between Shenzhen and Hong Kong. It showcases the power of human determination.