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The construction of this reservoir necessitated some alteration to the original Gardens, which had two terraces at levels of 239.00 and 229.00 A.O.D. These have now been replaced by one terrace at 244.00 A.O.D. thus providing a larger level area.
The old fountain on the upper terrace was demolished and replaced by a new one in the centre of the new terrace.
The work necessitated alterations to the existing approach steps and paths at the site of the reservoir. A new flight of granite steps was constructed on the East side and a new entrance to the Gardens from Albany Road was made on the West side.
Other new features included granite seats on the East and North sides, a shelter and two drinking fountains on the West side, gardener's stores, raised terraces and a water tank on the South side and lavatory and latrine accommodation on the East side.
The following are a few particulars of the work:-Area of roof, 49,680 square feet; number of piers, 251; length of main walls, 904 feet; length of division wall, 180 feet; concrete in walls, 3,697 cubic yards; concrete in invert, 1,280 cubic yards; concrete in roof, 1,156 cubic yards; concrete piles, 1,430 lineal feet.
BYEWASH RESERVOIR.
The Byewash Reservoir, which was subsequently included in this section of the Scheme, provides a very economical and inexpensive increase in the water supply of Kowloon.
Due to its geographical situation with respect to the existing Kowloon water supply, to which it is directly connected, the necessity for providing Trunk and Distribution Mains, Filtration Plants and Service Reservoirs was eliminated, thereby enabling the additional supply provided by the Reservoir to be utilized at a relatively small cost, the construction of a dam, with its contingent works, being the only fea- ture required.
The Reservoir also forms a valuable connecting link between the Shing Mun Valley and the Kowloon Waterworks Schemes, as it automatically collects not only the water from its own catchment area but flood-water which passes over the Over- flows of the Kowloon and Reception Reservoirs, that from the Kowloon Reservoir discharging directly into the Byewash Reservoir and that from the Reception Re- servoir being collected by a short diversion channel.
A controlled supply may also be drawn from the Reception Reservoir when the latter is not overflowing.
The Reservoir, which is formed by a dam at its South-western end, is situated in the Lai Chi Kok Valley, about 700 yards down stream from the existing Kowloon Dam. Its location in this valley considerably facilitated vehicular access from Taipo Road to the Shek Lai Pui Filters and Service Reservoir, as the structure of the dam was utilized to carry the Access Road over the Lai Chi Kok Stream by means of a roadway on the top of the dam, which considerably reduced the gradients and the length and cost of the Access Road.
Preliminary investigations were made and tentative plans prepared in 1925, but sanction to proceed with the work was not obtained until early in 1929. Designs were then completed and the contract was signed on June 11th, 1929.
Work commenced shortly afterwards but progress was rather slow owing to deeper foundations being necessary and to a series of labour and other troubles. However, by the end of 1930 the construction level of the dam had reached an elevation of 65 feet above stream bed, at which level impounding of water com- menced. Water was first drawn off for supply purposes on January 14th, 1931, by connecting the new 18" drawn-off to the existing supply main from Kowloon Dam to the Kowloon Filters.
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