High Island Reservoir, Reservoir in Sai Kung District, Hong Kong.
The structure encloses a sea area between former islands and stores freshwater in an artificial basin covering roughly 100 hectares. Two large main dams hold the water back while smaller walls in surrounding valleys control additional inflows.
The government began construction in 1969 after riots in 1967 highlighted dependence on water imports. Completion came in 1978 following nearly a decade of work during which five laborers lost their lives.
The engineering achievement connected two uninhabited islands to the mainland through massive dams, creating an enclosed storage basin in the open sea. Walking trails along the dam walls today let visitors examine the unusual construction closely and experience how concrete and water meet at this scale.
Visitors should wear sturdy footwear for the walk along the dams, as paths can be uneven and exposed to sun. Early morning or late afternoon hours offer more comfortable temperatures and softer light for exploring the area.
A series of aqueducts carries water from remote streams over a total distance of eight kilometers to the storage basin. Memorial stones along the waterfront path honor the five construction workers who died during the project, bearing their names for visitors to read.
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