MacRitchie Reservoir
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{{Infobox lake
| lake_name = MacRitchie Reservoir
| image_lake = MacRitchie Reservoir.jpg
| caption_lake = The distinctive zig-zag bridge and Performing Arts Pavilion are popular spots at the reservoir
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| coords = {{coor at dms|1|20|37|N|103|49|52|E|region:SG_type:waterbody}}
| type = [[reservoir]]
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| basin_countries = Singapore
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'''MacRitchie Reservoir''' ([[Simplified Chinese|Chinese]]: 麦里芝蓄水池, [[Pinyin]]: ''Maìlǐzhī Xùshuǐchí'') is [[Singapore]]'s oldest [[reservoir (water)|reservoir]]. The reservoir was completed in 1868 by impounding water from an earth [[Embankment dam|embankment]], and was then known as the Impounding Reservoir or Thomson Reservoir.
==History==
[[Image:MacRitchie Reservoir Broadwalk.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Boardwalk]] at MacRitchie Reservoir]]
[[Image:macritchie reservoir zz.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Reservoir, boardwalk and running trail converge]]
Before the early 19th century, most of the Singapore main island was covered by [[Primary Rainforest|primary forest]]. Soon after the [[United Kingdom|British]] established a settlement in Singapore in 1819 and [[commerce|commercial]] activity took root, there was a demand for [[fresh water]]. However, it was decades before the settlement's first fresh [[water supply]] was established.
Between 1820 and 1870, a substantial portion of the virgin forest was cleared to assist Singapore in becoming an important [[trading post]]. Prior to this, [[China|Chinese]] planters had also worked the forested land for [[timber]] and the cultivation of crops like [[uncaria|gambier]], [[black pepper|pepper]] and [[rubber]]. By 1886, only 10% of the original forest cover remained.
In 1823, [[British Resident]] [[John Crawfurd]] proposed the building of a reservoir and [[waterworks]], setting aside $1,000 for these plans but nothing came of them. Another plan that ended up in smoke was the idea to tap the [[headwater]]s of Singapore Creek.
Finally, in 1857, [[Peranakan|Straits Chinese]] [[merchant]] [[Tan Kim Seng]] donated $13,000 for the improvement of the town's waterworks but delays, poor planning and use of the wrong building materials ate into the budget. New plans were drawn up for an impounding reservoir in Thomson. Tan's money was insufficient – the cost of the new reservoir was $100,000 – but [[colonial]] headquarters in [[Calcutta]] refused to make up the rest of the cost. When Tan died in 1864, the reservoir was no nearer completion.
Construction was eventually completed in 1868 but the [[pumps]] and distributing network were not finished until 1877. By this time, public confidence in the government's ability was dented.
In 1882, in a move to salvage its reputation, the [[Municipal]] Council erected a [[fountain]] in [[Fullerton Square]] in honour of Tan Kim Seng. The fountain was later to moved to [[Queen Elizabeth Walk]], where it stands today.
In 1891, the holding [[capacity]] of the Impounding Reservoir or Thomson Reservoir, after its designer [[John Turnbull Thomson]], was expanded to over 465 million [[gallon]]s. Municipal [[Engineer]] [[James MacRitchie]] oversaw this $32,000 expansion and the reservoir was named after him in 1922. In the 1890s, he had urged the government to buy the Chasseriau Estate for use as a reservoir but it was not until much later that the purchase was made.
However, the reservoir's 4 million gallons a day were still insufficient to meet demand. Water was pumped into the reservoir from the upper section of [[Kallang River]], one of the island's bigger sources of fresh water. Other fresh water supplies – [[Lower Peirce Reservoir]] and [[Seletar Reservoir]] – were completed in 1912 and 1920 respectively. However, the government realised that Singapore would not be able to meet its own fresh water needs. In 1927, a water [[treaty]] was signed with the [[Sultan]] of [[Johor]]. Singapore received its first supply of water from [[Johor]] in 1932 but Singapore is now more independent.
The development of the MacRitchie Reservoir brought the forest devastation around the area to a halt. The forest surrounding the reservoir has been protected as a [[water catchment]] reserve. The forested areas surrounding the other two reservoirs, [[Peirce Reservoir]] and [[Upper Seletar Reservoir]] (formerly Seletar Reservoir) were also protected when these reservoirs were developed.
During World War II, the Japanese Imperial Army during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore built a Shinto Shrine,Syonan Jinja (1°20'53.94"N 103°48'49.08"E),in the middle of the MacRitchie Reservoir forest in Singapore. When the British forces re-occupied Singapore, the Shrine was destroyed. However, ruins of the shrine remain and serve as a quaint piece of History accessible only to those willing to look for it, given its obscure location. The National Heritage Board declared the site a Historic Site in 2002, although no plans have been made public to develop or to protect the site.
==Present==
More than one [[square kilometre]] of primary forest still flourishes in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve today, particularly around MacRitchie Reservoir. [[Rubber]] trees, remnants of the plantations from the 19th century, can still be seen along the fringes around the reservoir.
There are [[boardwalk]]s skirting the edge of the scenic MacRitchie Reservoir and walking [[trails]] through the forest. They range in distances from 3 km to 11 km. Interpretative signboards along the boardwalks allow for a self-guided tour along the fringes of the MacRitchie forest.
The boardwalk around the perimeter of the MacRitchie Reservoir brings the visitor through interesting [[secondary forest]] in the Central Catchment nature area. The boardwalk which hugs the reservoir also allows for easy exploration of freshwater wildlife. Visitors will be enthralled by breathtaking views of the reservoir and the surrounding forests. Interesting plants await to be spotted along the boardwalk, such as the intriguing Ant plant (''[[Macaranga]] bancana.'') and [[pitcher plants]].
In addition to the boardwalk, another popular attraction is the [[HSBC]] TreeTop Walk, a 250 m aerial free standing [[suspension bridge]] spanning Bukit Peirce and Bukit Kalang which are the two highest points in MacRitchie. The bridge was completed in July 2004, and the TreeTop Walk was officially launched on [[5 November]] [[2004]]. The structure, which is 25 m at its highest point, offers visitors a panoramic view of [[Upper Peirce Reservoir]] and the surrounding lush rainforest where visitors can also enjoy the sounds and sights of native birds in the morning. [[Jelutong]] Tower also offers a breathtaking view of the [[Singapore Island Country Club]] golf course and the MacRitchie Reservoir.
The 3.2 km and 4.8 km trails are still used as cross-country running routes for various inter-school competitions today.
==References==
*National Heritage Board (2002), ''Singapore's 100 Historic Places'', Archipelago Press, ISBN 981-4068-23-3
==See also==
*[[Syonan Jinja]]
==Gallery==
{{commons|MacRitchie Reservoir}}
<gallery>
Image:Mcritchie_sign2.JPG||Sign to the treetop walk
Image:Mcritchie_suspbridge3.JPG|The suspension bridge as part of the treetop walk
</gallery>
==External links==
*[http://www.nparks.gov.sg/nature_central_treetops.asp National Parks Board, Central Catchment Nature Reserve - HSBC TreeTop Walk]
*[http://www.spi.com.sg/spi_files/shinto_shrine/Syonan_Jinja.htm SPI Investigates Syonan Jinja]
{{Reservoirs in Singapore}}
[[Category:Reservoirs in Singapore]]
[[Category:Parks in Singapore]]
[[Category:Visitor attractions in Singapore]]
[[Category:Central Water Catchment]]