Pokfulam Reservoir, ca.1870

The three streams running through Pokfulam Village join to form a bigger stream which runs toward East Lamma Channel. Considering the geographical advantage with the streams and surrounding hills, the colonial government chose to build Hong Kong's first reservoir in Pokfulam, in order to supply water for the increasing population in Hong Kong. The reservoir started operation in 1863, and was expanded in 1877. This image shows the view of Pokulam Reservoir around the 1870s, with Béthanie Sanatorium and Nazareth Press established by Paris Foreign Mission above the reservoir, and the view of East Lamma Channel in the background.