Singapore Trails: [Nature] Keppel Hill Reservoir Explored!

A forgotten reservoir; Drowning of a 17 year-old boy (1) and two British soldiers (One of whom was listed as a strong swimmer) (2) in two separate incidents; all these stories added to the mystic of this reservoir when the finding was released to the public on September 17, 2014. (3) It was said that the British were strong swimmers and that they had drowned in the 20-feet (6 metre) deep reservoir. So what happened there? Also, the people who stayed at the foot of Keppel Hill must have known about this reservoir - This include the dwellers of Kampung Bukit Nong, (4) and the Singapore Harbour Board employees who were slum dwellers there. (5)

After its announcement in the newspaper recently, hundreds of history and heritage lovers started to throng the site. The National Heritage Board also invited Mr Charles Goh, who first stumbled upon the reservoir in 2005, to lead the guided tours. (6)

The reservoir dates back to 1905 and was used as a source of water for the Tanjong Pagar Dockyard. (3) I'm sure some of the findings such as the rough bricks and its surrounding, will unravel more information about this forgotten reservoir. To get to the reservoir, one needs to enter through Wishart Road and walk east past Joaquim Garden Landscape flora company.

After a bend, the road will come to a dead-end. From there, you will need to go through the forest and also cross a small river before arriving at the reservoir.

The first view that greeted me was one greenish murky water body. Uprooted tree branches laid in the water, while brown leaves covered parts of the water, truly giving the place a feeling of abandonment.

Panning the the right, there was a modern-day pipe installed by the flora company that draws water from the reservoir to water their plants. So in fact, the place was not unknown, only the history of the reservoir might have been laid hidden. There were also two metal rods that had once uphold the wooden dive board.

In the past, visitors of this reservoir and afterwhich swimming pool, had other ways of getting to the water other than using the spring board. Cement steps allows one to dip one's toes into the water to test its chill factor.

So what happen if the water starts to rise uncontrollably after a heavy shower? Well, the builder of the reservoir has included spillway to allow for access water to flow out of the reservoir. All of this are so well thought out.

Finally, here's a video produced by the National Heritage Board before the reservoir was made known to public.

There was a mention in the newspaper that may see the development of the foothills of Mount Faber, that includes Keppel Hills. (7) So will that mark the beginning of the end for this reservoir?

References

1. Youth drowned in reservoir. (April 4, 1948). The Straits Times. P3.

2. Misadventure verdicts in double drowning tragedy. (April 17, 1936). The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser. P3.

3. Zaccheus, M. (September 17, 2014). Abandoned reservoir off Telok Blangah Road discovered. The Straits Times. Accessed October 21, 2014.

Abandoned reservoir off Telok Blangah Road discovered - See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-singapore-stories/story/abandoned-reservoir-telok-blangah-road-discovered-201409#sthash.bweUFQVA.dpuf

http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-singapore-stories/story/abandoned-reservoir-telok-blangah-road-discovered-201409

4. He sneaked out for a dip in pool when his grandfather was caretaker. (September 23, 2014). The Straits Times. Accessed October 21, 2014.

5. Over 270 leave the slums. (September 15, 1952). The Straits Times. P7.

6. Zaccheus, M. (September 23, 2014). Free tours of forgotten Keppel Hill Reservoir to be conducted. The Straits Times. Accessed October 21, 2014.

http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-singapore-stories/story/free-tours-forgotten-keppel-hill-reservoir-be-conducted-

Free tours of forgotten Keppel Hill Reservoir to be conducted - See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-singapore-stories/story/free-tours-forgotten-keppel-hill-reservoir-be-conducted-#sthash.sCiwhFjP.dpuf

7. Wang, J. & Lim, W. C. (August 15, 2007). Mt Faber foothills slated to be next lifestyle hot spot.
The Straits Times. P3.

Saturday, October 18, 2014

[Nature] Keppel Hill Reservoir Explored!

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