ROUTE 1: EXPLORING LAST CENTURY'S MASTERWORKS
Built over half a century ago, Plover Cove was the first reservoir in the world created by converting a coastal bay into a large reservoir. At a time when most reservoirs were constructed by damming a valley or digging a lake in flatland, the “bay-to-reservoir” idea was pioneering and innovative. Our Route 1 itinerary introduces the master waterworks amidst the beautiful reservoir landscape!
Climb high, see far and wide. A small mound at Tai Mei Tuk takes you—not too high, but high enough—to enjoy a magnificent view of Plover Cove Reservoir. To get to the mound, start by Bradbury Jockey Club Youth Hostel, or the starting point of Tai Mei Tuk Family Walk. The walk will lead you to the observation deck that overlooks the beautiful Plover Cove Reservoir and the natural landscape.
Near the coast on the left is a structure connected to the land by a bridge. This is one of the Plover Cove Reservoir pumping stations. The water from here is transported to Sha Tin Water Treatment Works before being supplied to residents of Shatin, central Kowloon and parts of Hong Kong Island. The drinking water in your home may come from here!
Continue around the mound, and an observation deck on the other side of the path looks up to the gorgeous Pat Sin Leng. Named after the Eight Immortals, the eight ridges—from left to right – are Shun Yeung Fung (Lu Tung Bin), Chung Li Fung (Han Chung Li), Kao Lao Fung (Cheung Kao Lao), Kuai Li Fung (Teh Kuai Li), Tsao Kau Fung (Tsao Kuok Kau), Choi Wo Fung (Nam Choi Wo), Sheung Tsz Fung (Han Sheung Tsz) and Hsien Ku Fung (Ho Hsien Ku). The rolling mountain towers high above, and the route along it is certainly the most challenging hike in Hong Kong!
Water from the northern slopes of Pat Sin Leng enters the reservoir via natural streams, while on the southern side stream water is carried to the reservoir via a catchwater. The whole Pat Sin Leng ridge belongs to the water gathering ground of Plover Cove Reservoir.
The construction of Plover Cove Reservoir required the complete damming of the previously crescent shaped natural bay. Seawater was pumped out as the first step after the dam was built. As water from nearby streams flows into the bay, a large storage reservoir was gradually formed.
The main dam of Plover Cove Reservoir crosses the whole strait and connects Tai Mei Tuk with the islet Pak Sha Tau Chau. The main dam stretches 2.1 kilometres in length, and seems to be never ending as you look from one end of it! The tranquil reservoir is on one side of the main dam, while on the other side is the open sea. Both are equally charming!
Plover Cove was a productive fishing ground before the construction of the reservoir. After the waterworks was completed, the saltwater habitat became a freshwater habitat and no more fishing net operations occur today. There are, however, many fish in the reservoir, for example, Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), Big Head Carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus), Mud Carp (Cirrhinus molitorella), and Goldfish (Carassius auratus). Some of these were actually released by the Water Supplies Department as a biological method to regulate water quality. Fishing Licenses are also issued by the Department, so anglers can fish in the reservoir provided they fulfil certain conditions.
At the northeast coast of Pak Sha Tau Chau, there is a solar farm with rows of solar panels floating in the inner bay. This is a pilot project of the Water Supplies Department that serves several purposes. Solar energy is produced, while the solar panels cover an area of water to reduce evaporation. Reducing sunlight reaching the water surface also helps inhibit the spread of algae, which improves water quality.
For birds such as Great Egret (Ardea alba), Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) and Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea), the solar panels add extra benefit—they attract small fishes hiding underneath. The birds only have to wait for the right time to catch their prey!
Before the construction of Plover Cove Reservoir, there were two islets opposite Pak Kung Tsui—Pak Sha Tau Chau and Tung Tau Chau. Three important waterways for fishing vessels, called Sam Mun Keng, were formed between the islets. Today, the islets are all linked up by the dams, and Sam Mun Keng is no longer on the map!
When Plover Cove Reservoir is full, overflowing water is discharged into the sea via the spillway dam. The present dam was raised in 1973, when the siphon spillways were installed—which means water overflows from the spillways beneath the top of the dam into the sea. Before the change, overflowing water went over the top of the dam. Old photographs show that the public would even play around on the dam top when the water was spilling over—and they might try to catch some fish too!
Across from Pak Sha Tau Chau, there is a tower in the water which many mistake for a lighthouse! It is in fact the “draw-off tower”, part of the reservoir waterworks. There are several inlets at the bottom of the tower, where water enters through submerged pipes, before being transferred to Pak Kong Water Treatment Works and Ma On Shan Water Treatment Works.
