Both Lower and Upper Peirce Reservoirs are impounding reservoirs located within Singapore’s Central Catchment area. Together with MacRitchie Reservoir and Upper Seletar Reservoir, they are surrounded by some of Singapore’s most important remaining forested areas. Lower Peirce Reservoir was originally known as the Kallang River Reservoir. It was renamed Peirce Reservoir in 1922 after Robert Peirce, the Municipal Engineer of Singapore from 1901 to 1916, and was renamed Lower Peirce Reservoir in 1975 following the completion of Upper Peirce Reservoir. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Singapore’s increasing demand for water led the Public Utilities Board to further develop the country’s water resources. Construction of Upper Peirce Reservoir began in 1972, it was completed in 1975 and officially opened in February 1977. Peirce Reservoir is sometimes misspelt as Pierce Reservoir.
Interestingly, the Kallang River, the longest river in Singapore, connects Lower Peirce Reservoir to Marina Reservoir. The upper reaches of the river were dammed to form the original Kallang River Reservoir, now known as Lower Peirce Reservoir, while Upper Peirce Reservoir was subsequently created further upstream. At the other end of the river, Marina Barrage was completed in 2008, creating Marina Reservoir around the Kallang Basin and Marina Bay area.
The entrance to Lower Peirce Reservoir Park is along Old Upper Thomson Road, a historic road which was also once part of the old Singapore Grand Prix circuit. There is a bronze plaque commemorating Robert Peirce, who was the Municipal Engineer of Singapore from 1901 to 1916. On the opposite bank of Lower Peirce Reservoir is the Singapore Island Country Club (SICC) golf course, while MacRitchie Reservoir lies on the other side of the golf course. Lower Peirce Reservoir is also one of the reservoirs in Singapore where fishing is permitted within designated fishing areas. Fishing is allowed only within these designated areas and only artificial bait may be used. Nevertheless, I have also seen people fishing at Upper Peirce Reservoir, where fishing is not permitted.
Even though Upper Peirce Reservoir is just beside Lower Peirce Reservoir, there is no direct public forest trail connecting the two reservoir parks. Unlike Lower Peirce Reservoir, which is easily accessible from Upper Thomson Road, the entrance to Upper Peirce Reservoir Park is located much further along Old Upper Thomson Road. Upper Thomson Road refers to the main dual-carriageway road, whereas Old Upper Thomson Road is the smaller and much quieter road that meanders along the edge of the forested reservoir area.
About 500 m further along Old Upper Thomson Road from Lower Peirce Reservoir Park is the entrance to the Lower Peirce Trail. The trail consists of a 900 m wooden boardwalk that takes visitors through mature secondary forest. Some of the trees in the forest are more than 100 years old, and a variety of native plants and wildlife can be seen along the way.
The route along Old Upper Thomson Road from Lower Peirce Reservoir Park towards Upper Peirce Reservoir Park is one of my favourite cycling routes in Singapore. The first section is relatively flat and makes for easy cycling. However, after entering the road leading towards Upper Peirce Reservoir Park, the terrain becomes considerably more undulating. There are at least two killer slopes – maybe more or fewer depending on one’s stamina, cycling skills and bicycle. Wild animals, including monkeys, frequently move between the forests on both sides of Old Upper Thomson Road. Unfortunately, animals are occasionally knocked down by vehicles while crossing the road.
From the entrance gate to Upper Peirce Reservoir, the road continues for about another 2 km towards the reservoir park. There is no public bus service along this final stretch, so most visitors reach the park by car, bicycle or on foot. Long-tailed Macaques are frequently seen along the roadside. Some of them have become accustomed to waiting near the road for food from passing motorists. Feeding monkeys and other wildlife is illegal and should be discouraged.
Similar to Lower Peirce Reservoir, the opposite bank of Upper Peirce Reservoir is occupied by the Singapore Island Country Club (SICC) golf course. The long embankment visible from the park is the dam separating Upper Peirce Reservoir from Lower Peirce Reservoir. On the right side of the dam is Upper Peirce Reservoir, while Lower Peirce Reservoir lies on the left. At the other end of the dam is the SICC golf course, and a fence prevents members of the public from trespassing onto it. Over the years, I have seen various activities around the dam area, including kite flying, bridal photography and, occasionally, illegal fishing.
The above photo, taken from the right side of the dam, shows Upper Peirce Reservoir. The two pole-like structures visible in the distance are the transmission towers on Bukit Timah Hill.
The above photo, taken from the left side of the dam, shows Lower Peirce Reservoir, with the HDB flats of Ang Mo Kio and Bishan visible in the background. The water at Lower Peirce Reservoir often appears much more tranquil than that of Upper Peirce Reservoir. On calm days, the reflection of the opposite bank can be clearly seen on the surface of the water. The field situated below the dam is also a popular spot for families to have picnics, play badminton and enjoy ball games.
How to Get There
**Lower Peirce Reservoir:** Lower Peirce Reservoir Park is located along Old Upper Thomson Road, close to the junction of Upper Thomson Road and Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1. Bus services in the vicinity include 163, 167, 169, 855 and 980.
**Upper Peirce Reservoir:** The entrance to Upper Peirce Reservoir Park is located further along Old Upper Thomson Road. From the entrance, the road continues for about another 2 km to the reservoir park. There is no public bus service along this section, so the more convenient ways of reaching the park are by car or bicycle.
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