Wong Nai Chung Reservoir

HF: “The third reservoir in Hong Kong, the Wong Nai Chung Reservoir, was built at Tai Tam Reservoir Road in Wong Nai Chung in 1899. The reservoir dam followed the topography of the valley. It was 50 feet high, 270 feet long and was boomerang-shaped.

The reservoir had a small water storage capacity of just 27 million gallons, only 38% of the size of its Pok Fu Lam counterpart.

The operation of the reservoir ceased in 1982. It was then converted to Wong Nai Chung Reservoir Park and opened to the public in 1986.

The weir, the dam and the valve house are classified as Grade III historic buildings. The dam is built of brick and stone and there is an access to the valve house.

There is a plaque engraved with the number “1899” at the entrance of the valve house showing its year of construction. The weir is part of the dam for draining the excess water.” (1)

Nicholas Kitto has very kindly sent the first three photos shown here. Taken by Nicholas in August 2011 they are a small part of his superb collection of photographs which focus particularly on historical buildings in China and Hong Kong. For more information about his website please see the link below.

HK MG 0286

Dam Wall And Valve House, Wong Nai Chung Reservoir (Constructed 1899), Hong Kong Island.

HK MG 0278

Dam Wall And Valve House, Wong Nai Chung Reservoir (Constructed 1899), Hong Kong Island.

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Dam Wall And Valve House, Wong Nai Chung Reservoir (Constructed 1899), Hong Kong Island.

Wong Nai Chung Reservoir Dam Weir Image AMO

The Weir undated photo Courtesy: AMO

Wong Nai Chung Reservoir Plan AMO 25.08.2009

Courtesy: AMO 25.08.2009.(2)

Sources:

  1. Water Supplies Department – Wong Nai Chung Reservoir
  2. Antiquities and Monuments Office – Wong Nai Chung Reservoir

See:

  1. Nicholas Kitto’s website This Hong Kong based photographer specialises in historical buildings and landscapes, working primarily in the Greater China Region.

Related Indhhk articles:

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  2. Reservoir – High Island Reservoir construction – HK Government publication – official statistics
  3. Reservoir – Plover Cove – 1977 Water Supplies Dept report
  4. Reservoir – Plover Cove – 50th anniversary of relocation of residents
  5. Reservoir – Plover Cove Reservoir – photographs of official opening 1969
  6. Reservoir – Shek Pik Reservoir construction – 2 submerged villages and 262 displaced villagers
  7. Reservoir – Shek Pik, construction 
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  10. Reservoir – Shek Pik – Tai O Road construction link to end of Tai O salt production
  11. Reservoir – Shek Pik Water Scheme, HK Government Report, 1963
  12. Reservoir – Shing Mun, article from the late 1930s
  13. Reservoir – Shing Mun, Cross harbour road tunnel – link to planning of SM reservoir, late 1920s?
  14. Reservoir – Shing Mun (Jubilee)
  15. Reservoir – Tai Lam Chung – first built post-WW2
  16. Reservoirs, Binnie & Partners, engineering consultancy, Hong Kong reservoirs and more…
  17. Reservoirs, Forty one historic monuments at six of HK’s earliest reservoirs
  18. Reservoirs, The Tai Tam
  19. Reservoirs, Tai Tam Upper Reservoir – Historic Building Appraisal
  20. Reservoirs, Tai Tam Water Works – 1885 HK Government Report
  21. Reservoirs – Water supply in HK – its history and past, current and potential future problems – SCMP article

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