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Writer's pictureKarli

Marina Barrage


The high population density and the extensive landscaping in Singapore require a significant amount of freshwater. Singapore has access to a substantial amount of water being an island, but the seawater is not suitable for use. Therefore, alternative solutions had to be devised.


With the seasonal rainfall that occurs, a considerable amount of water can be collected, as the rain often leads to flooding as well.


Less known than the "Gardens by the Bay" is the "Marina Barrage" located at the tip of the reclaimed peninsula. Part of the building is concealed beneath a green lawn.

Here, there are 9 large water pumps.

Each pump can extract 40 cubic meters of water per second and weighs 28 tons.

The dam separates the freshwater coming from the land from the seawater.





This allows the collection of freshwater in the bay, providing enough water that can be treated for drinking purposes, covering a vast area of 10,000 hectares, without the need for desalination.


The Marina Barrage also serves to prevent flooding. The water level in the bay is lower than the sea level. The dam monitors the water level in the bay.

During the rainy season, a significant amount of water can accumulate in a short period. The water can be collected in the bay. To prevent overflow, the excess water can be pumped into the sea, and if necessary, a portion of the barrier can be lowered. The pumps are necessary for regulating the water levels, as rivers also flow into the bay. This helps prevent floods in a densely populated city like Singapore.


As a result, there is a calm lake within the bay, even when the sea outside may have waves. This also opens up opportunities to utilize the bay's water as a tourist attraction.

There are water displays, rowing clubs, and even a floating platform that can be used as a football field, providing recreational activities within the bay.


In the featured image, you can even see the distinct color difference between the freshwater and seawater.


In conclusion:

A win-win-win situation.

Freshwater supply, flood prevention, and a recreational area.


📷 You can find more great pictures in the photo album


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