We went to Marrina Barrage yesterday for the opening act - Hélios II - for Singapore Art Festival... and since we were there, we visited the gallery as well. Gallery is very informative and cool! You guys should visit it when you are free =)
Marina BarrageBuilt across the mouth of the Marina Channel, the Marina Barrage creates Singapore’s 15th reservoir, and the first in the heart of the city. With a catchment area of 10,000 hectares, or one-sixth the size of Singapore, the Marina catchment is the island’s largest and most urbanised catchment. Together with two other new reservoirs, the Marina Reservoir will boost Singapore’s water catchment from half to two-third’s of the country’s land area. Benefits:
Water Supply
The Marina Barrage is a dam built across the 350-metre wide Marina Channel to keep out seawater, forming Singapore’s first reservoir in the city and 15th reservoir. Marina Reservoir combines with the future Punggol and Serangoon reservoirs will increase Singapore’s water catchment areas from half to two-thirds of Singapore’s land areas.
With the barrage in place, the Marina Basin will turn into a body of freshwater through natural flushing in one to two years. The freshwater will then be treated using advanced membrane technology before consumption. Local catchment water is one of the Four National Taps, with the other three being imported water, NEWater and desalinated water. As one of the pillars of local water supply, Marina Reservoir will meet more than 10% of Singapore’s current water demand.
Flood Control
The Marina Barrage is part of a comprehensive flood control scheme to alleviate flooding in the low-lying areas in the city such as Chinatown, Boat Quay, Jalan Besar and Geylang.
During heavy rain, the series of nine crest gates at the dam will be activated to release excess storm water into the sea when the tide is low.
In the case of high tide, giant pumps which are capable of pumping an Olympics-size swimming pool per minute will drain excess storm water into the sea.
Complete illustration on how the marina barrage works
Lifestyle Attraction
As the water in the Marina Basin is unaffected by the tides, its water level will be kept constant all year round. This is ideal for all kinds of recreational activities such as boating, windsurfing, kayaking and dragonboating etc.
Sustainable Singapore GalleryGallery 1 showcases the environmental challenges of today
Organic tree symbolises the uncertain state of our present environment
Wall made entirely from NEWater bottles
Gallery 2 recounts the clean up of the Singapore and Kallang Rivers
A walk down history...
Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, as Prime Minister of Singapore then, challenged a nation and brought about irrevocable change.
Interactive media to learn about the history.
Mirror wall
Gallery 3 features the Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters programme, launched by PUB in 2007.
Gallery 4 details the intricate construction and operations of the dam.
(Refer to the above for the detailed explanation...)
Gallery 5 shows Singapore’s careful planning and management of its limited land area to maximise its potential.
Development in the Marina Bay and CBD area
Interactive map of how Singapore is becoming a green and sustainable city. There's us on the map!
Gallery 6 displays an unwavering commitment from our 3P (People, Private and Public) sectors to care for the environment and water.
Just stand in front of the camera and tap the 'Snap' button. Fun!
Water Wally
Information taken from:
1. http://www.pub.gov.sg/marina/Pages/default.aspx
2. http://www.pub.gov.sg/marina/gallery/Pages/default.aspx
It's OPEN HOUSE DAY on 31 May 2009 for the below participating museums!! 
