Mudan Reservoir Introduction
The Mudan Reservoir, officially completed and inaugurated in 1995, is located in Mudan Township, Pingtung County. It was built to meet the domestic and agricultural water needs of the Hengchun area, and thus a dam was constructed in the Shizhong Creek valley to store water. The reservoir primarily collects water from the Ruying Creek and Mudan Creek, covering a catchment area of approximately 69 square kilometers and holding a total water capacity of 30 million cubic meters. It is the largest reservoir in the Pingtung area and the southernmost reservoir in Taiwan. The daily water supply from Mudan Reservoir is 100,000 tons, with an annual supply of 37 million tons, mainly serving general water needs for six townships: Fangshan, Checheng, Hengchun, Fangliao, Manzhou, and Mudan, as well as public water supply for Kenting National Park until 2021. Besides fulfilling general water needs, the Mudan Reservoir has gradually developed into one of the tourist attractions in Mudan Township due to its beautiful scenery. Before arriving at the Mudan Reservoir, visitors first pass through the Mudan Bridge, with its striking red semi-circular arch being its most eye-catching feature. Notably, the sides of the bridge are carved with numerous indigenous totems, giving the appearance of welcoming guests in formation. Upon entering the Mudan Reservoir, to the left of the access road is a small "Inauguration Memorial Park," quietly standing by the fence, with the reservoir channel below. In dry seasons, it resembles a gentle stream; to the left is the red arch bridge that was just passed. Walking into the park, the growing trees create a more and more forest-like feeling. Since the Mudan Reservoir is built in the Shizhong Creek valley, surrounded by continuous hills and green trees, to take in the lake and mountain views, one must follow the hiking trail to reach the dam's top. Along the way, one can see majestic structures like the dam, spillway, and outlet, and it isn't hard to imagine the powerful flow during a flood. At the top of the reservoir, there is a clear, mirror-like catchment area that sparkles in the sunlight, resembling a green gem encircled by mountains, complemented by the blue sky and green hills; the scenery at Mudan Reservoir is sure to impress.
