Jurong Lake
Encyclopedia
Jurong Lake is a 70ha freshwater
lake
and reservoir located in the western region
of Singapore
formed with the dam
ming of Sungei Jurong further downstream. The lake serves as a reservoir contributing to the water supply
of the country. It lies next to the Lakeside MRT Station
, which derived its name from this geographical feature. The lake is surrounded by park
land, which serves as a recreational ground for nearby residents in Jurong East
and Jurong West
New Town
s.
A landscaped sanctuary called Jurong Lake Park was built around the perimeter of the lake and work was completed in January 2006. Also, a 2.8 kilometre water promenade along Jurong Lake Park would allow residents to participate in watersports.
As is the case for most other reservoirs in Singapore, swimming is currently illegal in the lake, although this may change in line with the Singapore government's liberalisation of the use of bodies of water in the republic. Fishing
is now allowed in some designated spots around the lake where only artificial baits can be used for fishing. However, the water is noted to be green in colour during dry weather and a murky brown after a downpour, the likely result of runoff
from its urban catchment area.
The lake came into prominence in 2002 when a 3-year old boy slipped out of his mum's grasp and fell into a flooded drain
which led to Sungei Lanchar during a thunderstorm
. His lifeless body was subsequently found in the lake after a search
operation two days after the incident.
s located near or even within the Lake, including a Chinese Garden
and a Japanese Garden
, which are located on their respective islands within the lake, as well as the nearby Tang Dynasty Village, which has since closed down.
The Science Centre, Singapore, a family-oriented attraction in Jurong East, is located in the area, together with Jurong Country Club, which includes a 18-hole par-72 golf
course and driving range.
announced a plan to develop the Jurong into a commercial hub outside the Central Business District (CBD). The new Jurong Lake District will offer a potential development area of 360 hectares, roughly the size of Marina Bay. The Urban Redevelopment Authority said that some 750,000m2 of land will be set aside at Jurong Gateway, expected to attract billions of dollars in development, for offices, hotels, food and beverage and entertainment uses. However, analysts say that the short 10–15 years time frame may be a little tight, due to the amount of projects in progress and a dampened global economic climate.
The Urban Redevelopment Authority
announces a masterplan on 4 April 2008 to transform the area around Jurong Lake to a unique lakeside destination for business and leisure in the next 10 to 15 years.
A new district will be created, named, Jurong Lake District
which consists of two precincts, Jurong Gateway and Lakeside
. These refer to the areas around the Jurong East MRT Station
and Jurong Lake in the west region of Singapore. Jurong Lake and the area around it, known as Lakeside
, is the other area in the Jurong Lake District.
New developments around Jurong Lake include:
Freshwater
Fresh water is naturally occurring water on the Earth's surface in ice sheets, ice caps, glaciers, bogs, ponds, lakes, rivers and streams, and underground as groundwater in aquifers and underground streams. Fresh water is generally characterized by having low concentrations of dissolved salts and...
lake
Lake
A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...
and reservoir located in the western region
West Region, Singapore
The West Region of Singapore is one of the five regions in the city-state. Comprising 25,500 hectares of land area, it is the largest of all regions, it includes twelve urban planning areas and has at least a population of over 1 million. As its name implies, it is the westernmost region of Singapore...
of Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
formed with the dam
Dam
A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions. Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are...
ming of Sungei Jurong further downstream. The lake serves as a reservoir contributing to the water supply
Water supply
Water supply is the provision of water by public utilities, commercial organisations, community endeavours or by individuals, usually via a system of pumps and pipes...
of the country. It lies next to the Lakeside MRT Station
Lakeside MRT Station
Lakeside MRT Station ' is an above-ground Mass Rapid Transit station on the East West Line in Jurong,Singapore.As the Jurong Lake lies next to this station which derived its name from geographical feature, it serves residents living in Hong Kah, Taman Jurong and Boon Lay, as well as people working...
, which derived its name from this geographical feature. The lake is surrounded by park
Park
A park is a protected area, in its natural or semi-natural state, or planted, and set aside for human recreation and enjoyment, or for the protection of wildlife or natural habitats. It may consist of rocks, soil, water, flora and fauna and grass areas. Many parks are legally protected by...
land, which serves as a recreational ground for nearby residents in Jurong East
Jurong East
Jurong East is a neighbourhood in Singapore, bounded by the Pan Island Expressway, a canal and the shoreline of Jurong Lake, Jurong Town Hall Road, the eastern side of Jurong Gardens, Ayer Rajah Expressway, Penjuru Road, West Coast Road, Sungei Pandan and back to the Pan Island Expressway.It is...
and Jurong West
Jurong West
Jurong West is a neighbourhood in Singapore, bounded by the Pan Island Expressway, the eastern edge of Jurong Camp, Boon Lay Way, Corporation Road, Fourth Chin Bee Road, International Road, Corporation Road, Ayer Rajah Expressway, Yuan Ching Road, Boon Lay Way, and along a Canal leading into Jurong...
New Town
New Town
New Town may refer to:*New town, a generic name for a planned city development or expansion*In the United Kingdom, any of a specific set of towns created under various Acts of Parliament for population moved out of overcrowded conurbations-Places:...
s.
A landscaped sanctuary called Jurong Lake Park was built around the perimeter of the lake and work was completed in January 2006. Also, a 2.8 kilometre water promenade along Jurong Lake Park would allow residents to participate in watersports.
As is the case for most other reservoirs in Singapore, swimming is currently illegal in the lake, although this may change in line with the Singapore government's liberalisation of the use of bodies of water in the republic. Fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
is now allowed in some designated spots around the lake where only artificial baits can be used for fishing. However, the water is noted to be green in colour during dry weather and a murky brown after a downpour, the likely result of runoff
Surface runoff
Surface runoff is the water flow that occurs when soil is infiltrated to full capacity and excess water from rain, meltwater, or other sources flows over the land. This is a major component of the water cycle. Runoff that occurs on surfaces before reaching a channel is also called a nonpoint source...
from its urban catchment area.
The lake came into prominence in 2002 when a 3-year old boy slipped out of his mum's grasp and fell into a flooded drain
Drain
A drain is a plumbing fixture that provides an exit-point for waste water or water that is to be re-circulatedDrain may also refer to:* Drainage, the natural or artificial removal of surface and sub-surface water from a given area...
which led to Sungei Lanchar during a thunderstorm
Thunderstorm
A thunderstorm, also known as an electrical storm, a lightning storm, thundershower or simply a storm is a form of weather characterized by the presence of lightning and its acoustic effect on the Earth's atmosphere known as thunder. The meteorologically assigned cloud type associated with the...
. His lifeless body was subsequently found in the lake after a search
Search and rescue
Search and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...
operation two days after the incident.
Tourist Attractions
There are several tourist attractionTourist attraction
A tourist attraction is a place of interest where tourists visit, typically for its inherent or exhibited cultural value, historical significance, natural or built beauty, or amusement opportunities....
s located near or even within the Lake, including a Chinese Garden
Chinese Garden, Singapore
Chinese Garden , also commonly known as Jurong Gardens, is a park in Jurong East, Singapore. Built in 1975 and designed by Prof. Yuen-chen Yu, an architect from Taiwan, the Chinese Garden’s concept is based on Chinese gardening art. The main characteristic is the integration of splendid...
and a Japanese Garden
Japanese Garden, Singapore
Japanese Garden , also commonly known as Jurong Gardens, is a park in Jurong East, Singapore. It is built on an artificial island in the Jurong Lake area connected to the adjacent Chinese Garden island by bridge....
, which are located on their respective islands within the lake, as well as the nearby Tang Dynasty Village, which has since closed down.
The Science Centre, Singapore, a family-oriented attraction in Jurong East, is located in the area, together with Jurong Country Club, which includes a 18-hole par-72 golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
course and driving range.
Redevelopment plan
On 4 April 2008, the National Development Minister Mah Bow TanMah Bow Tan
Mah Bow Tan is a politician from Singapore. A member of the governing People's Action Party , he is currently a Member of Parliament representing the Tampines Group Representation Constituency...
announced a plan to develop the Jurong into a commercial hub outside the Central Business District (CBD). The new Jurong Lake District will offer a potential development area of 360 hectares, roughly the size of Marina Bay. The Urban Redevelopment Authority said that some 750,000m2 of land will be set aside at Jurong Gateway, expected to attract billions of dollars in development, for offices, hotels, food and beverage and entertainment uses. However, analysts say that the short 10–15 years time frame may be a little tight, due to the amount of projects in progress and a dampened global economic climate.
The Urban Redevelopment Authority
Urban Redevelopment Authority
The Urban Redevelopment Authority is the national urban planning authority of Singapore, and a statutory board under the Ministry of National Development of the Singapore Government.-Mission:The authority was established on 1 April 1974, and is of especially critical importance to the city-state,...
announces a masterplan on 4 April 2008 to transform the area around Jurong Lake to a unique lakeside destination for business and leisure in the next 10 to 15 years.
A new district will be created, named, Jurong Lake District
Jurong Lake District
Jurong Lake District is a district of Singapore. It consists of two zones, namely Jurong Gateway and Lakeside. It is 360 hectares in size and served by two major expressways and three MRT stations.-Remaking Our Heartland:...
which consists of two precincts, Jurong Gateway and Lakeside
Lakeside
-Australia:*Lakeside Joondalup Shopping City, Joondalup, Western Australia*Lakeside, near Reservoir, Victoria*Lakeside International Raceway, Pine Rivers, Queensland*Lakeside Mental Hospital, formerly known as Ballarat Lunatic Asylum, Ballarat, Victoria...
. These refer to the areas around the Jurong East MRT Station
Jurong East MRT Station
Jurong East MRT Station is an above-ground Mass Rapid Transit station that is part of the North South Line and the East West Line in Singapore, and serves as an interchange station between the two lines....
and Jurong Lake in the west region of Singapore. Jurong Lake and the area around it, known as Lakeside
Lakeside
-Australia:*Lakeside Joondalup Shopping City, Joondalup, Western Australia*Lakeside, near Reservoir, Victoria*Lakeside International Raceway, Pine Rivers, Queensland*Lakeside Mental Hospital, formerly known as Ballarat Lunatic Asylum, Ballarat, Victoria...
, is the other area in the Jurong Lake District.
New developments around Jurong Lake include:
- A public park will be developed next to Lakeside MRT StationLakeside MRT StationLakeside MRT Station ' is an above-ground Mass Rapid Transit station on the East West Line in Jurong,Singapore.As the Jurong Lake lies next to this station which derived its name from geographical feature, it serves residents living in Hong Kah, Taman Jurong and Boon Lay, as well as people working...
- New Science Centre will be built next to Chinese Garden MRT StationChinese Garden MRT StationChinese Garden MRT Station ' is an above-ground Mass Rapid Transit station on the East West Line in Jurong,Singapore. It serves residents in Yuhua and Hong Kah, as well people visiting the various tourist attractions in Jurong Lake, which includes the Chinese Gardens, where the station derived its...
- Lakeside village
- Enhanced Chinese GardenChinese Garden, SingaporeChinese Garden , also commonly known as Jurong Gardens, is a park in Jurong East, Singapore. Built in 1975 and designed by Prof. Yuen-chen Yu, an architect from Taiwan, the Chinese Garden’s concept is based on Chinese gardening art. The main characteristic is the integration of splendid...
and Japanese GardenJapanese Garden, SingaporeJapanese Garden , also commonly known as Jurong Gardens, is a park in Jurong East, Singapore. It is built on an artificial island in the Jurong Lake area connected to the adjacent Chinese Garden island by bridge....
External links
- See a diagrammatic bird's eye view of Jurong Lake at the Singapore Pagenation map:http://sg.pagenation.com/sin/This%20Spot/103.7279/1.3291.map