Field Study of Ng Tung River Handbook for Tour Guides Contents Page 1. Notes to Field Study of Rivers 2 2. Ng Tung River and the fieldwork sites 3 3. About Ng Tung River 4 4. Ecology 8 5. Cultural Heritage 9 6. Fieldwork site A: Hok Tau – Upper Course of Ng Tung River 10 7. Fieldwork site B: Tung Shan Ha 12 8. Fieldwork site C: Tan Chuk Hang 14 9. Fieldwork site D: Kan Lung Wai 16 10. Fieldwork site E: Ma Shi Po 18 11. Fieldwork site F: Wa Shan Tsuen 20 Field Study of Ng Tung River: Handbook for Tour Guides 1 1 Notes to Field Study of Rivers Safety Measures 1. Wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers to prevent mosquito bites and cuts caused by plants; 2. Wear slip-resistant shoes; and 3. Leave the vicinity of the river immediately if there is a sudden rise of the water level or an increase in the turbulence and turbidity of the stream flow. Code of conduct 1. Protect the countryside and its natural landscapes, do not pollute rivers and litter; 2. Do not disturb vegetation, wildlife and their living environment; 3. Respect villagers, do not damage private properties, crops and livestock. Field Study of Ng Tung River: Handbook for Tour Guides 2 2 Ng Tung River and the fieldwork sites Map 2.1: Ng Tung River and the fieldwork sites The fieldwork sites (refer to 2.1) • Hok Tau - Upper Course of Ng Tung River A (鶴藪 - 梧桐河上游) B • Tung Shan Ha (東山下) • Tan Chuk Hang (丹竹坑) C D • Kan Lung Wai (覲龍圍) 馬屎埔 E • Ma Shi Po ( ) • Wa Shan Tsuen (華山村) F Field Study of Ng Tung River: Handbook for Tour Guides 3 3 About Ng Tung River 1. About Ng Tung River Ng Tung River is located in the northeast New Territories. The river catchment covers areas such as Lung Yeuk Tau (龍躍頭), Fanling (粉嶺) and Sheung Shui (上水). Ng Tung River is a large tributary of the Shenzhen River (深圳河) System, and its own different tributaries bare different names, making the delineation of Ng Tung River Catchment complicated. The river named as Ng Tung River on map originates from the southern slope of Robin's Nest (紅花嶺) summit (492 m) at an altitude of about 450 m, and flows westward to Fu Tei Au (虎 地坳). However, the actual origin of the main stream of Ng Tung River is from the west of Wong Leng (黃嶺) summit (639 m) at an altitude of about 580 m. The main stream flows down the valley on the western slope of Wong Leng and goes into Hok Tau Irrigation Reservoir (鶴藪灌溉水塘) through Ping Shan Chai (平山仔). It then turns northward to Tan Chuk Hang (丹竹坑), and then westward merging with the tributary that originates from Robin's Nest at Ko Po North Tsuen (高埔北村). This river section from Wong Leng to Ko Po North Tsuen is called Tan Shan River (丹山河) on the map. The main stream of Ng Tung River merges with other major rivers in the region as it flows along. A few hundred meters to the west of Ko Po North Tsuen, the main stream merges with a tributary named Kwan Tei River (軍地河). The main stream continues westward and passes north of Lung Yeuk Tau before merging with a tributary named Ma Wat River (麻笏河). The main stream then passes northern Sheung Shui, and merges with two tributaries named Shek Sheung River (石上河) and Sheung Yue River (雙魚河) near Fu Tei Au (虎地坳). Finally, the main stream turns north and merges with Shenzhen River. From a geographical perspective, Tan Shan River, Kwan Tei River, Ma Wat River, Shek Sheung River and Sheung Yue River are parts of Ng Tung River. However, in this project, Sheung Yue River is independently featured in another River Journal. Hence, the description and characteristics of Sheung Yue River are not included here. Stream order (Strahler’s stream order): 5th order Drainage pattern: Dendritic Field Study of Ng Tung River: Handbook for Tour Guides 4 Figure 3.1: The main stream of Figure 3.2: One of the tributaries of Ng Tung River originates from Ng Tung River originates from Wong Leng Robin's Nest Figure 3.3: Lower course of Ng Tung River “Rivers@HK Database” [Ng Tung River > Ng Tung River Location and Catchment > About Ng Tung River] https://bit.ly/2Igl3uj Field Study of Ng Tung River: Handbook for Tour Guides 5 2. River Management Ng Tung River was formerly known as Fung Kai (The River of Phoenix). It was formed by a few tributaries including Kwan Tei River, Tan Shan River, Shek Sheung River and Ma Wat River. The river used to be meandering and flood frequently during the wet season. In the 1990s, large-scale flood control projects were carried out along Ng Tung River in order to develop Sheung Shui and Fanling. The natural landscape of the river no longer exists. Irrigation The fertile land in the river basin attracted a large number of farmers to settle. Some farmers adopted the "Nanpanshun" farming method by digging ditches at the sides to surround pieces of farmland. This kind of farming method produced crops of high quality, and at the same time created wetland habitats that were homes to various animals. However, after the completion of river training works, water supplied by the river was no longer sufficient to support "Nanpanshun" farming. Many farmlands had been changed to dry farmlands. Water Supply Facilities Kwan Tei River and Tan Shan River originate from Lau Shui Heung and Hok Tau respectively. In 1968, Lau Shui Heung Reservoir and Hok Tau Reservoir were built to collect river water which would then be diverted to Plover Cove Reservoir. The two reservoirs also irrigate farmlands nearby. Flood Control Projects In response to the demand for urban development, the middle course of Shek Sheung River was converted into a culvert in the 1990s. The main stream of Ng Tung River and most tributaries were also straightened and channelised. Former meanders have been retained as compensatory wetlands to mitigate ecological impacts due to the works. Field Study of Ng Tung River: Handbook for Tour Guides 6 Figure 3.4: Hok Tau Irrigation Figure 3.5: The channelised Reservoir Ng Tung River Figure 3.6: Compensatory wetland along Ng Tung River “Rivers@HK Database” [Ng Tung River > Ng Tung River Location and Catchment > River Management] https://bit.ly/2Igl3uj Field Study of Ng Tung River: Handbook for Tour Guides 7 4 Ecology The upper course of Ng Tung River main stream (Tan Shan River) is located within Pat Sin Leng Country Park where the natural riverine environment is still preserved with excellent water quality. The Tan Shan River basin harbours many freshwater fauna and flora, and is an important habitat, especially for dragonflies. Drainage improvement works were carried out at the middle and lower courses of Ng Tung River mainly in the 1990s and 2000s by which the river channels were deepened and widened. Environmental mitigation works were implemented over the course of the drainage improvement works. The original meanders are kept as mitigation wetlands as a means to lessen the ecological impacts exerted on the river. However, the middle and lower courses of many tributaries pass through villages and new towns. The natural habitats have thus been impaired. Long Valley, situated at the lower course of Ng Tung River, is the most extensive freshwater wetland with agricultural activities existing in Hong Kong. At present, Long Valley provides habitat for over 300 bird species, 25 of which are key species with conservation concern. During winter, this area becomes a major habitat for migratory birds beyond Mai Po, including Black-faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor) and Yellow-breasted Bunting (Emberiza aureola), which are listed as 'Endangered' and 'Critically Endangered' respectively on the IUCN Red List. Evidently, Long Valley is a place with high ecological values. Figure 4.1: Hong Kong Clubtail Figure 4.2: Yellow-breasted Bunting (Leptogomphus hongkongensis) (Emberiza aureola) “Rivers@HK Database” [Ng Tung River > Ecology] https://bit.ly/2Igl3uj Field Study of Ng Tung River: Handbook for Tour Guides 8 5 Cultural Heritage Ng Tung River used to be known as 'Fung Kai'. Its river channel, with many twists and turns, flows through the northern New Territories. The areas adjacent to the river channel were fertile floodplains which created favourable conditions for agriculture. Back in the last year of the Yuan dynasty, the clans of Tang and Liu set up villages at Fanling Lung Yeuk Tau and Sheung Shui Heung respectively, at the lower course of the river. Over a few centuries of development, a large settlement area has been formed in Ng Tung River catchment. A number of villages have been built along the river channel, including Tan Chuk Hang Lo Wai, Kan Lung Wai and Sheung Shui Heung. Figure 5.1: Kun Lung Gate Tower Figure 5.2: Tang Chung Ling Ancestral Hall Figure 5.3: Tin Hau Temple, Figure 5.4: Liu Man Shek Tong Lung Yeuk Tau Ancestral Hall “Rivers@HK Database” [Ng Tung River > Cultural Heritage] https://bit.ly/2Igl3uj Field Study of Ng Tung River: Handbook for Tour Guides 9 Fieldwork site A: Hok Tau – Upper Course of 6 Ng Tung River Hok Tau Irrigation Reservoir Hok Tau and Lau Shui Heung Reservoirs, located in the upper course of Ng Tung River, were built in 1968, with the purpose of collecting and diverting water from nearby streams to Plover Cove Reservoir. Meanwhile, some river water is used to irrigate adjacent farmland. This section of the river, named as Tan Shan River, is one of the main tributaries of Ng Tung River.