empangan_batu [Cebisan Sejarah Kuala Lumpur]

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====== Empangan Batu (1987) ======

===== Ringkasan =====

//"Batu Dam was built in 1985 af a cost of $20 million and commissioned in 1987 primarily to prevent flooding in the city. About 30 per cent of the water in the dam, believed to be one of the cleaner dams in Klang Valley, is for consumption. Its catchment reservoir is fed by the Batu and Tua rivers and it channels water to the Waterworks Department treatment plant that caters to Jinjang and Batu Caves."// (New Straits Times, 4 April 1991: {{ :akhbar:nst-1991-04-04-batudam-watersports.pdf ||}}[[https://books.google.com.my/books?id=EMFUAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA25&article_id=6513,1400100|"Water sports to be at Batu Dam"]]).


{{:gambar:kuala_sg_tua.jpg?300|}}{{:gambar:e-batu7.jpg?300|}}

//"Empangan Batu atau Batu Dam terletak di Lembah Kelang atau lebih tepat lagi ia terletak di sepanjang jajaran rangkaian jalan utama Selayang-Sungai Tua-Ulu Yam. Empangan ini hanyalah empangan untuk bekalan air minuman sahaja, bukan empangan janakuasa elektrik. Empangan ini boleh menampung 30,199 juta liter air. Empangan ini telah dibina bagi menampung keperluan air penduduk di Selangor terutama di ibu kota Kuala Lumpur. Sungai Batu yang mengalir dari Banjaran Titiwangsa telah dipilih kerana berdekatan dengan Kuala Lumpur. Empangan Batu menyalurkan air mentah kepada loji rawatan air Sungai Batu. Empangan Batu berkeluasan 775 hektar yang terdiri daripada kawasan pertanian dan hutan. Selain Sungai Batu terdapat 2 lagi anak sungai utama yang mengalirkan air ke Empangan Batu iaitu Sungai Tua dan Sungai Bisul. Empangan Batu dibina selepas berlaku banjir besar di Kuala Lumpur pada tahun 1971. Kerajaan telah mengadakan satu projek tebatan banjir yang besar bermula pada 1973. Menerusi projek ini dua empangan telah dibina iaitu Empangan Batu dan Empangan Klang Gate. \\
..... \\
Hari ini Empangan Batu menjadi tumpuan pencinta fotografi untuk merakamkan keindahan alam semulajadinya ....menjadi lokasi penggambaran filem dan tidak kurang juga dikunjungi oleh masyarakat sekitar untuk menikmati kesejukan air Sungai Batu yang nyaman."// 

(Sumber: Riverstone Eco Resort, 11 Mac 2010: {{ :laman:riverstone_eco_resort_empangan_batu.pdf ||}}[[https://riverstoneecoresort.blogspot.com/2010/03/empangan-batu.html|"Empangan Batu"]]).




====== Kronologi ======

===== Peta Lokasi: 1904 =====

{{:peta:peta-empanganbatu-1904.png?400|Peta lokasi Empangan Batu, 1904}} \\
Peta lokasi Empangan Batu (secara kasar), 1904 (Edinburgh Geographical Institute, 1904 @ Yale University Library - Digital Collections: {{ :laman:selangor_federated_malay_states_1904_john_bartholomew_co_w.t._wood_chief_draftman._-_yale_university_library.pdf ||}}[[https://collections.library.yale.edu/catalog/15827242|"Selangor, Federated Malay States, 1904 / John Bartholomew & Co ; W.T. Wood, chief draftman"]]).

===== Peta Lokasi: 1926 =====

{{:peta:peta-empanganbatu-1926.png?400|Peta lokasi Empangan Batu, 1926}} \\
Peta lokasi Empangan Batu (secara kasar), 1926 (Malaya Survey Department, 1926 @ University of Minnesota Libraries: {{ :laman:umedia-peta-selangor-1926.pdf ||}}[[https://umedia.lib.umn.edu/item/p16022coll230:3899|"Selangor : Federated Malay States 1926"]]).

===== Peta Lokasi: 1950 =====

{{:peta:peta-empanganbatu-1950.png?400|Peta lokasi Empangan Batu, 1950}} \\
Peta lokasi Empangan Batu (secara kasar), 1950 (Surveyor General, Malaya, 1950 @ Australian National University: {{ :laman:open_research_malaysia_malaya_selangor_1950_land_use_south_sheet_1950_1_126_720.pdf ||}}[[http://hdl.handle.net/1885/140895|"Malaysia, Malaya, Selangor 1950, Land Use, South Sheet, 1950, 1:126 720"]]).

===== Peta Lokasi: 1962-1966 =====

{{:peta:peta-empanganbatu-1962.png?400|Peta lokasi Empangan Batu, 1962}} \\
Peta lokasi Empangan Batu (secara kasar), 1962 (Director of National Mapping, Malaysia, 1962: {{ :laman:open_research_malaysia_selangor_kuala_lumpur_series_l7010_sheet_94_1962_1_63_360.pdf ||}}[[http://hdl.handle.net/1885/163825|"Malaysia, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Series: L7010, Sheet 94, 1962, 1:63 360"]]; Director of National Mapping, Malaysia, 1966: {{ :laman:malaysia_selangor_pahang_kuala_kubu_baharu_series_l7010_sheet_86_1966_1_63_360.pdf ||}}[[http://hdl.handle.net/1885/163836|"Malaysia, Selangor, Pahang, Kuala Kubu Baharu, Series: L7010, Sheet 86, 1966, 1:63 360"]]).

===== 1966: Rancangan Penebatan Banjir Kuala Lumpur =====

//"City Hall and the Irrigation Department (DID) are reviewing the 1966 Kuala Lumpur Flood Mitigation Project, Deputy Agriculture Minister, Datuk Alex Lee, said today. However, he added, the project would still be reviewed in 
line with the initial proposal of an inter-related program for river channelisation and reservoir storage to control the flow of the Klang River and its tributaries. "City Hall and the DID will brief the Economic Planning 
Unit of the Prime Minister's Department and the Treasury over the revision and the implementation of the project." 
The initial proposals of the program are: \\
\\
- channelisatlon of stretches of the Batu, Gombak, and the Klang Rivers in the vicinity of Kuala Lumpur; \\
- enlargement of the existing Klang Gate Dam and Reservoir on the Klang River; \\ 
- construction of the Gombak Dam and Reservoir on Gombak River; and, \\
- construction of the Batu Dam and Reservoir on the Batu River. \\
\\
Datuk Alex told the New Straits Times that of the four proposals under the project, only the construction of the 
Gombak dam near seven and the half mile Gombak had been scrapped. The project was scrapped after residents, whose villages would be inundated if a dam were to be built, lodged a protest. Last Monday, Datuk Alex said flood problems in the city were due to the absence of a dam at the Sungai Gombak. There are already dams at both Sungai Klang and Sungai Batu. He added that three dams were capable of holding back 18 million cubic metres of water, 
while two dams could only hold 10 million cubic metres of water."//

(New Straits Times, 22 September 1988: {{ :akhbar:nst-1988-09-22-floodcontrol-review.pdf ||}}[[https://books.google.com.my/books?id=161UAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA2&article_id=6705,1491473|"KL's flood control project under review"]]).

===== 1973: Program Penebatan Banjir Lembangan Sungai Klang =====

//"City residents are expected to be spared major floods when the Sungai Klang Basin Flood Mitigation programme is completed in 2007 but flash floods will continue to be part and parcel of life in and around Kuala Lumpur. Federal Territory Drainage and Irrigation Department director Tan Jiak Kim said the programme would prevent floods traditionally caused by rivers overflowing their banks after heavy rain. "However. it will not prevent floods resulting from a very high intensity of rainfall that occurs in localised areas and lasts a few hours. "Such floods also cover a large area and cause extensive damage," he said. Tan said flash floods were usually associated with 
clogged culverts or drains. The projects, which began in 1973, were initially estimated to cost a total of RM760 million. The cost is, however expected to touch RM1 biilion when the projects are completed in 12 years' time. 
They involve three major aspects - dam construction, improvement work on three major rivers and improvement work on the trunk drainage system or tributaries. Tan said work on the first component included the construction of the RM19.7 million Batu Dam in 1987 and the raising of the Klang Gate Dam at RM3.4 million in 1980."//

{{:akhbar:nst-1995-05-09-sgklang-flood-mitigation-projects.png?600|Sungai Klang River Basin Flood Mitigation Projects}}

//"Works on three major rivers include the channelising of Sungai Klang, Sungai Batu and Sungai Gombak. This involve a total length of 95km. On work along the Sungai Klang, Tan said it involved river lining and disilting. The lining job which kicked off in the 1980s began at the upper reaches of the river. Work has been completed up to a point near Jalan Tun Razak. Desilting on the downstream portion from the Federal Highway to the Puchong Drop, which began in 1993, was recently completed. "Desilting at Sungai Klang is being carried out from Puchong Drop to Shah Alam and involves a distance of 19km." \\
\\
On the Sungai Batu river project, also known as Sungai Batu revetment project, he said it involved a distance of 2.4km from Jalan Segambut bridge to the 4½ mile Jalan Ipoh bridge. The work involves widening, deepening and concrete lining of the river using "L" units. The river is being widened from 20 metres to 32 metres and deepened to three metres. "As a result the river capacity will be increased and overflowing will not occur easily." According to Tan, the river widening project at Sungai Batu, which is 80 percent completed, began in 
May 1992 and was originally expected to be completed in May this year. "But due to some problems with the squatters in the area the completion has been delayed until the end of the year," he said. Besides the revetment job, work on the Sungai Batu also includes the Batu retention pond project."//

{{:akhbar:nst-1995-05-09-sgklang-flood-mitigation-widening.png?450|Progressing as scheduled ... river widening work at Sungai Batu.}}

//"Under the dam construction component in the flood mitigation project, a dam was supposed to be constructed for Sungai Gombak but due to unforseen problems, the project was called off. As for Sungai Gombak Tan said the project had been awarded to the contractors in November last year. The project will involve a four km stretch at the upper 
reaches of the river at a cost of about RM13.2 million. "We are designing the last four km," he said. On improvement work on the trunk drainage system which relates to river widening and deepening, he said it involved eight tributaries. They are the Sungai Kerayong, Sungai Keroh, Sungai Jinjang, Sungai Kuyoh, Sungai Bohoh, Sungai Belongkong, Sungai Kamunsing and Sungai Penchala."//

(Sumber: Rosnazura Idrus @ New Straits Times, 9 Mei 1995: {{ :akhbar:nst-1995-05-09-sgklang-flood-mitigation.pdf ||}}[[https://books.google.com.my/books?id=Pg5PAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA86&article_id=6696,3791761|"Sg Klang flood mitigation assurance"]]).

//"The Sungai Gombak diversion canal and Sungai Batu flood retention pond system are the brainchild of the Japan International Corporation Co-operation Agency (Jica) which carried out a study in 1989 on the feasibility of the projects. The spokesman said the study recommended the building of the canal and several retention ponds and that the projects be completed by next year. The canal located between Sungai Gombak and Sungai Batu, is part of the Klang Valley flood mitigation roject which is expected to cost RM1 billion by the time it is completed in 2007. Earlier, FT DID director Tan Jiak Kim said the scheme was designed to reduce flooding and improve existing river and drainage systems without affecting the environment. About 50 per cent of the project has been completed. He said experts predicted that a major disaster like the 1971 floods, which hit the Klang Valley and caused RM35 million in damages, would recurr once every 100 years. "Work on Sungai Batu includes the Batu retention pond project which is actually divided into three ponds - a retention pond, recreation pond and regulation pond - all covering 68.3ha of disused mining pools." Tan said the ponds would act as a buffer to hold excess water during 
heavy rain. "Water chanelled from Sungai Gombak will be released into the ponds periodically to prevent flooding in low-lying areas." He added that under the dam construction component of the flood mitigation project, a dam was to be built for Sungai Gombak in an area along the Karak Highway. "However, due to protests from some people the project was shelved, he said. Tan said the site for the proposed dam had been taken over for the construction of the new International Islamic University campus which would be completed by the middle of the year. The construction of the RM19.7 million Batu Dam in 1987 and the raising of the Klang Gate Dam by three metres at a cost of RM3.4 million in 1980 were also part of the dam construction component of the flood mitigation project for the Klang Valley."// (Sager Ahmad @ New Straits Times, 27 Februari 1996: {{ :akhbar:nst-1996-02-27-klangvalley-diversion-canal.pdf ||}}[[https://books.google.com.my/books?id=0Y8yAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA26&article_id=4924,2078435|"Klang Valley diversion canal held up"]]; Sager Ahmad @ New Straits Times, 1 Januari 1996: {{ :akhbar:nst-1996-01-01-canalproject.pdf ||}}[[https://books.google.com.my/books?id=3HpaAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA28&article_id=5061,300172|"All clear for RM24m canal project"]]).

==== Kesan Pembinaan Empangan Batu Terhadap Warga Temuan ====

//"In Malaysia, Colin Nicholas from the Centre for Orang Asli Concerns affirms that none of the Orang Asli communities displaced by dams in seven areas in the country have been adequately compensated. “The Orang Asli affected by the Temenggor Dam are still, after 18 years, waiting to be compensated. The Temuans from Sungai Batu who were moved for the Batu Dam still have not received the RM500 compensation they were each promised for their huts.” he said at a Press Conference to announce the launch of S.O.S. Selangor, a coalition of 29 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) opposed to the building of the Sungai Selangor Dam. In the case of the Selangor Dam project that might soon be underway, that Nicholas says although the Temuans of Gerachi and Pertak will receive land as compensation, there will be a 70 percent loss of what they now have."// (Sarah Sabaratnam @ New Straits Times, 27 July 1999: {{ :akhbar:1999-07-27-05-rethink-dam-plan.pdf ||}}[[https://books.google.com.my/books?id=EfdOAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA23&article_id=6864,4327865|"Rethink dam plan"]]). (Salinan artikel penuh: [[empangan#seruan_kajian_semula_pembinaan_empangan_besar|1999-07-27: Seruan Kajian Semula Pembinaan Empangan Besar]]).

//"PANG HIN YUE: "For the first time in my eight years as a journalist, I cried. Never had I seen such poverty. Such helplessness. There was this frail woman, Seri, widowed With eight sickly children, with no food or money. How I wished I could take away some of her pain. Her personal tragedy of being forced off her ancestral land inspired my colleague Sarah Sabaratnam and I to write, like we had never done before. about what can happen when development fails to take into account the people it affects. Seri and the rest of the Orang Asli community displaced by the Batu Dam 15 years ago have yet to taste the fruits of development. Until we ran our first story, their children did not have access to education. The story of Seri and her family became our starting point when we got wind of an impending dam in Selangor. Would the mistake of Batu Dam be repeated With the proposed Sungai Selangor Dam? For three weeks, we worked day and night. We made repeated trips to Kuala Kubu Baru. We went to the two Orang Asli villages there. We listened to what the local community had to say. We hounded the State Assemblyman. We cornered the Selangor Menteri Besar. We talked to experts on dams, river management and water resources. We networked with Malaysians who share similar concerns. Of course, we also talked to the dam developers. It was not difficult to write the stories which came in three instalments because we wrote from our heart. And with our editor who shared our vision and passion, we pursued the issue with all our might. We felt encouraged when the feedback came in. Shortly after highlighting Seri's plight, we were told that the Jabatan Hal Ehwal Orang Asli made arrangements to take Seri's children to school. We had calls from people who were touched by the story. Some offered to donate money. Some wanted to know how they can help stop the dam. We also ruffled a few feathers, but we know a story works when it moves people. Although we do not know whether the dam will be built, at least we can say we tried to deliver the stories as honestly as we could."// (New Straits Times, 13 Oktober 1999: {{ :akhbar:nst-1999-10-13-writingfromtheirhearts.pdf ||}}[[https://books.google.com.my/books?id=duROAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA23&article_id=5839,5471970|"Writing from their hearts"]]).

//"Mak Minah Anggong was an accomplished ceremonial (asli) singer, musician, mother, grandmother and dam activist from Kampung Peretak. ... I remembered, too, how she experienced a deep sense of sorrow when she saw her fellow Temuans resettled at Sungai Tua as a result of the Batu Dam or those from Sepang resettled at Bukit Cheeding, "Look at how these people live, so congested and with no forests and rivers!""// (Carol Yong @ Malaysiakini, Sept 29, 2000: {{ :akhbar:tribute_to_mak_minah.pdf ||}}[[http://www.magickriver.net/tribute.htm|"A tribute to Mak Minah"]]).

//"On writing about the Sungai Selangor Dam, I often remember the displaced Temuans, especially an accomplished Orang Asli ceremonial singer, musician, mother, grandmother and activist from Kampung Peretak. Those who knew her, fondly called her Mak Minah. She was also the mother of the current Kampung Gerachi batin. Mak Minah Anggong often lamented the loss of the Temuan way of life and their ancestral lands and forests with the construction of the dam. She expressed this through her singing and public performances of the Akar Umbi group (of which she was the lead) or at village and NGO gatherings. I remember the deep sense of sorrow in her tone upon seeing her fellow Temuans resettled at Sungai Tua because of the Batu Dam or those from Sepang resettled at Bukit Cheeding: “Look at how these people live, so congested and with no forests and rivers!” Mak Minah never lived to see her relatives and neighbours move into rumah batu (brick houses), which were provided as part of the resettlement and rehabilitation package when the Sungai Selangor Dam inundated the traditional villages of Gerachi and Peretak. She died on 21 September 1999 as the resettlement of the affected families in Kampung Gerachi began."// (Carol Yong @ Aliran, 17 Nov 2020: {{ :laman:lost_forever_free-flowing_river_that_gave_the_temuans_24-hour_access_to_water_-_aliran.pdf ||}}[[https://aliran.com/thinking-allowed-online/lost-forever-free-flowing-river-that-gave-the-temuans-24-hour-access-to-water|"Lost forever: Free-flowing river that gave the Temuans 24-hour access to water"]]).

//"Perihal empangan, saya sangat mengingati Orang Asli Temuan di Kampung Gerachi dan Peretak yang terlibat dalam kawasan projek Empangan Air Sungai Selangor di Kuala Kubu Baru, khasnya Mak Minah di Kampung Peretak, seorang penanyi asli, aktivis kampung, ibu dan nenek. Mak Minah sangat bimbang akan kesan-kesan dan impak-impak projek empangan ke atas masyarakat Orang Asli dan masa depan mereka. Beliau meratap kebimbangan, ketangisan dan keluhan hatinya dalam lagu-lagu asli yang dipersembahkan bersama kumpulan Akar Umbi (Mak Minah penyanyi utamanya), baik di depan publik, di perkampungan atau dalam pertemuan NGOs. Sekiranya empangan Sungai Selangor diteruskan, Mak Minah sedar bahawa takungan air akibat empangan akan membanjiri tanah adat dan kampung mereka. Harta benda, kebun, tapak perkuburan dan sebagainya juga turut musnah. Mereka akan dipaksa untuk berpindah kerana kawasan tanah mereka diperlukan untuk projek empangan air itu. Betapa sedihnya Mak Minah melihat keadaan kehidupan masyarakat Temuan lain yang dipaksa pindah ke skim penempatan semula, contohnya Sungai Tua akibat pembinaan Empangan Batu dan orang Temuan Sepang dipaksa berpindah ke skim Bukit Cheeding: “Penempatan baru tidak bersesuaian dengan keadaan kehidupan Orang Asli, kesempitan dan tiada kawasan hutan dan sungai!”"// (Carol Yong @ Aliran, 18 Disember 2020: {{ :laman:pindah_kerajaan_mahu_bina_empangan_-_aliran.pdf ||}}[[https://aliran.com/aliran-csi/pindah-kerajaan-mahu-bina-empangan|"Pindah! Kerajaan mahu bina empangan"]]).

===== 1988-08-26: Perancangan Sebagai Pusat Rekreasi =====

//"Built three years ago at a cost of $20 million, Batu Dam was designed to stop the waters of the Batu and Tua rivers from flooding the populous Klang Valley. Now it seems likely that the population of the Valley will shortly be flooding the scenic environs of the dam, as plans unfold to develop the area — a mere 17km from the heart of Kuala Lumpur — into a popular recreation spot. \\
.....
Dams are purely functional structures, but the beauty of the lakes they create make them ideal recreational sites. The Federal Territory Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) has been quick to spot the recreational possibilities which its easily-accessible Batu Dam can offer the public. According to Federal Territory DID director Liew Chin Loong, the wide, man-made lake contained by the Batu Dam is an ideal spot for the angler and 
the boatman, while the area surrounding the dam could be made a welcome haven for golfers, trekkers, joggers and 
campers. The Batu Dam's suitability for recreation derives from its closeness to the population centres of the Klang Valley. The dam is a bare 17km from the heart of Kuala Lumpur."//

{{:akhbar:nst-1988-08-26-batudam-opens-dam.png?450|Part of the Batu Dam... ideal for recreation.}}{{:akhbar:arcintap-5lmxwz6awth1f3sfeeu4_layout.jpg?450|Gambar lebih jelas.}} \\
**Kiri**: //"Part of the Batu Dam... ideal for recreation."// \\
**Kanan**: Gambar lebih jelas (NSTP, 20 August 1988: {{ :akhbar:cj00010_klik.pdf ||}}[[https://www.klik.com.my/item/image/7305552/cj00010|"CJ00010"]]).

//"If the dam indeed becomes a place of recreation, it will be a welcome feather in the DID's departmental cap. Built in 1985 at a cost of $20 million and commissioned last year, the Batu Dam was built essentially to prevent flooding. Its catchment reservoir, fed by the Batu and Tua rivers, can supply the Waterworks Department with 26 
million gallons of water a day. Mr Liew said parties interested In developing the area for recreational purposes should approach the Economic Planning Unit, Prime Minister's Department. With its 13.3km shoreline and scenic, 
218-hectare lake, the Batu Dam will be an ideal spot for a number of outdoor activities. At present, access is provided by a road which skirts the eastern shore of the lake."//

{{:akhbar:nst-1988-08-26-batudam-opens-view.png?450|A picturesque view of the dam.}} \\
//'A picturesque view of the dam."//

//"Two areas have been found suitable for conversion into mini-golf courses. If properly maintained, Mr Liew ex- 
plained, the golf courses would hold down the topsoil, control surface-water runoff and reduce the inflow of sedi- 
ment into the catchment reservoir. The DID has also proposed blazing trails for hikers in the adjacent forest 
reserve. Part of one such trail has already been completed. In order to lend substance to the ambitions of weekend anglers, the Fisheries Department released some 70,000 fish fry into the catchment reservoir last year. On its own Initiative, the DID is landscaping the area downstream of the dam, a task in which it is being assisted by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, Mr Liew added. When more funds become available, the department will put build courts, a children's playground, parking lots and an ornamental lake. Suitable areas for picnicking will also be prepared."//

{{:akhbar:nst-1988-08-26-batudam-opens-landscaping.png?450|This area, just below Batu Dam, will be landscaped and developed for recreational purposes.}}{{:akhbar:arcintap-5lmxwyjyt3cxkrsseu4_layout.jpg?450|Gambar lebih jelas.}} \\
**Kiri**: //"This area, just below Batu Dam, will be landscaped and developed for recreational purposes."// \\
**Kanan**: Gambar lebih jelas (NSTP, 20 August 1988: {{ :akhbar:cj00011_klik.pdf ||}}[[https://www.klik.com.my/item/image/7305550/cj00011|"CJ00011"]]).

(Sumber: Lee Ah Chai @ New Straits Times, 26 Ogos 1988: {{ :akhbar:nst-1988-08-26-batudam-opens.pdf ||}}[[https://books.google.com.my/books?id=11lPAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA13&article_id=6722,2507595|"Batu Dam opens floodgate of fun"]]).

===== 1991-04-04: Perancangan Sukan Air =====

//"Batu Dam is to be transformed into an international arena for water sports and may possibly be the scene for the 1998 CommonWealth Games rowing, canoeing and wind-sailing events. Kuala Lumpur and Adelaide are bidding to host the 
Games and Youth and Sports Minister Senator Annuar Musa is expected to reveal plans for the events to be held at the dam at the Commonwealth Games Federation meeting in Malta next week. The host will be selected after the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. \\
\\
The 218-hectare lake, located near Batu Caves, 17km from the heart of Kuala Lumpur, was selected as an ideal venue for non-polluting water sports because of its calm water and mild wind conditions. Youth and Sports Ministry Secretary-General Ahmad Zabri Ibrahim told the New Straits Times the dam will be the focal point of international water sports when plans to develop facilities for rowing, canoeing and wind-sailing are completed. It is believed plans for such a venue was mooted about two years ago With the Commonwealth Games in mind. The dam will also act as a training ground for water sports athletes. Encik Zabri said the Ministry was awaiting approval from the State and Federal Governments before embarking on the project. If given the go-ahead, the lake would be ready for use by the end of this year and fully facilitated in 18 months. The Ministry has obtained the agreements of the Drainage and Irrigation Department and Selangor Waterworks to turn the dam into an international sports venue. \\
\\
'I do not anticipate any rejection of the plans by either the State or Federal Governments, although they will want to know the measures for maintaining cleanliness in the lake. 'We have already bought $1.2 million worth of water 
sports equipment," he said. To prevent pollution of the dam, which supplies Selangor Waterworks with 118 million litres of water a day, motorised water sports have been discounted from the list of permissible activities. Encik Zabri said: 'Later, we will also introduce other water sports but these activities have to be compatible with our desire to see that the lake is kept pollution-free. City Hall's Architecture and Special Projects Department is looking into plans for the building of the facilities. Essential facilities like the boat-houses, jetties, and the start/end markers for rowing and canoeing will be constructed first, said Encik Zabri, adding that training for the water sports could begin immediately after that. \\
\\
This would be followed by the building of a spectators' gallery, toilets and possibly a hostel with a canteen to 
accommodate athletes. 'The lake is ready for training and sports demonstrations. 'However, we have to transport the rowing boats and canoes now as there are no boat-houses at the moment," he said. The Ministry has plans to organise international rowing and canoeing regattas once the dam is fully equipped with the necessary facilities and technical people are adequately trained to manage water sports. Encik Zabri said, the dam, normally a restricted area, will be open to the public during competitions and demonstrations. \\
\\
Batu Dam was built in 1985 af a cost of $20 million and commissioned in 1987 primarily to prevent flooding in the city. About 30 per cent of the water in the dam, believed to be one of the cleaner dams in Klang Valley, is for 
consumption. Its catchment reservoir is fed by the Batu and Tua rivers and it channels water to the Waterworks Department treatment plant that caters to Jinjang and Batu Caves."//  

{{:akhbar:nst-1991-04-04-batudam-watersports-graphic.png?600|Water Sports for Batu Dam - Graphics: Carolyn C.}} \\
//"Water Sports for Batu Dam - Graphics: Carolyn C."//

(Sumber: Michael Lai @ New Straits Times, 4 April 1991: {{ :akhbar:nst-1991-04-04-batudam-watersports.pdf ||}}[[https://books.google.com.my/books?id=EMFUAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA25&article_id=6513,1400100|"Water sports to be at Batu Dam"]]).

==== Ready-made rowing course ====

//"Batu Dam is an ideal venue for international water sports like rowing, canoeing and wind-sailing. The water is clean, calm, and the wind conditions are mild on normal days. The dam has the required length for competition rowing course, which is at least 2.2 kilometres. The venue has been recommended to the Youth and Sports Ministry by a technical expert from the International Rowing Federation (FISA), Don Rowland, who described it as one of the best locations in the world for water sports. This was revealed by Ministry Secretary-General Ahmad Zabri Ibrahim, who recounted what Mr Rowland had said during the latter's visit to Malaysia late last year. Encik Zabri said three 
sites had initially been earmarked as possible locations for an international venue for water sports. The other two were Taman Tasik Wahyu and Taman Tasik Batu Muda. However, Taman Tasik Wahyu was rejected because it is a "wind tunnel", caused by high hills bordering the lake which made sporting activities difficult. 'After careful observations, Mr Rowland had recommended the Batu Dam as the best choice and predicted the lake would become one of the premier water sports venues in the world. 'He said the Batu Dam needed only minimal facilities as the rowing course is already there. We don't need to make any alterations to the lake," he said. \\
\\
Encik Zabri said training for the 1998 Commonwealth Games would begin at the dam as soon as possible. The Games could either be in Kuala Lumpur or Adelaide. The rowing and canoeing courses have eight lanes, each measuring 13.5 
metres across. Mr Rowland is an expert in identifying waterways for sports. His credits include advisory roles in the preparation of the Han river in Seoul for water sports in the 1988 Olympiad. He was also involved in a similar exercise prior to the 1990 Asian Games in Beijing. "//

{{:akhbar:nst-1991-04-04-batudam-watersports-dam.png?600|Batu Dam... ideal venue for water sports activities because of its calm water. - Picture by Philip Chong.}} \\
//"Batu Dam... ideal venue for water sports activities because of its calm water. - Picture by Philip Chong."//

(Sumber: Michael Lai @ New Straits Times, 4 April 1991: {{ :akhbar:nst-1991-04-04-batudam-watersports.pdf ||}}[[https://books.google.com.my/books?id=EMFUAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA25&article_id=6513,1400100|"Water sports to be at Batu Dam"]]).

==== 1991-04-15: Batu Dam project awaits nod ====

//"Work to transform the Batu Dam into an international arena for water sports will begin soon after the Cabinet gives its approval. A paper on the cost and other project matters is being repared by the Youth and Sports Ministry. The designs and proposed facilities at the dam, expected to cost some $5 million, is being prepared by City Hall's Architecture and Special Projects Department. Youth and Sports Ministry secretary-general Ahmad Zabri Ibrahim said he expects the paper to be ready in one month. 'I do not anticipate any rejection of the plans by the 
Government as this place is ideal for the project.' The Ministry has got the agreements of the Drainage and Irrigation Department and Selangor Waterworks. \\
\\
Encik Ahmad Zabri said the first phase of the project will involve construction of facilities like the boat-houses, jetties and the start/end markers for rowing and canoeing. This would be followed by the building of a spectators' gallery, toilets and possibly a canteen for athletes. Encik Ahmad Zabri said all the facilities are expected to be in place a year after work starts. The Ministry is placing emphasis on the project as the dam may be the scene for the 1998 Commonwealth Games rowing, canoeing and wind-sailing events. It is believed plans for such a venue was mooted two years ago with the Commonwealth Games in mind. Kuala Lumpur and Adelaide are bidding to host the Games. The successful city will be selected after the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. \\
\\
The 218-hectare lake near Batu Caves, 23km from the heart of Kuala Lumpur, was selected as an ideal avenue for non-polluting water sports because of its calm water and mild wind conditions. Encik Ahmad Zabri, who visited the dam last Thursday, said he was impressed with what he saw there. 'I have no doubt that this place Will become one of the premier water sports venues in the world as predicted by experts in the fields.' (The venue was recommended to the Youth and Sports Ministry by a technical expert from the International Rowing Federation Don Rowland who described it as one Of the best locations in the world for water sports. Encik Ahmad Zabri said the Batu Dam needed only minimal facilities as the rowing course was already there. "We do not have to make any alterations to the lake as the rowing course is much longer and wider than required by international standards.' (International standards require a rowing course to be 2.2km long. The course at Batu Dam is 3.2km long.) \\
\\
The selection of Batu Dam as the venue has also saved the Government money. Initially, before Batu Dam was discovered, two other sites were earmarked for the project - Taman Tasik Wahyu and Taman Tasik Batu Muda - but the cost was much higher as some alterations had to be carried out at the lakes. Encik Ahmad Zabri said the only concern about the project was to prevent pollution of the dam which supplies Selangor Waterworks with 118 million litres of water a day."//

{{:akhbar:nst-1991-04-15-batudam-project-site.png?300|Encik Ahmad Zabri (second from left) at the dam.}} \\
//"Encik Ahmad Zabri (second from left) at the dam."//

(Sumber: Ramlan Said @ New Straits Times, 15 April 1991: {{ :akhbar:nst-1991-04-15-batudam-project.pdf ||}}[[https://books.google.com.my/books?id=GsFUAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA58&article_id=5635,5695165|"Batu Dam project awaits nod"]]).

===== 1998-02: Penurunan Tahap Air =====

//"Penurunan tahap air yang serius di Empangan Batu pada bulan Februari 1998 disebabkan oleh fenomena El Nino telah menyebabkan kepada berlakunya kekurangan bekalan air yang melibatkan hampir ke semua penduduk Lembah Kelang. Krisis ini menyebabkan kerajaan melakukan catuan air yang dibuat sebelum Sukan Komanwel 1998 di Kuala Lumpur."// (Riverstone Eco Resort, 11 Mac 2010: {{ :laman:riverstone_eco_resort_empangan_batu.pdf ||}}[[https://riverstoneecoresort.blogspot.com/2010/03/empangan-batu.html|"Empangan Batu"]]).

===== 1998-05-20: Pendudukan di Sekitar Empangan =====

//"The Gombak Land Office has been instructed to look into whether the settlements, land clearing and farming in the Batu Dam catchment area are legal. Selangor's Local Government and Squatters Committee chairman Datuk Fuad Hassan today said the Land Office would also have to ascertain whether the land within the catchment area was private or State land. He was speaking to reporters after visiting the Batu Dam near Batu Caves. Fuad visited a settlement of 17 huts near Sungai Tua which drains into the Batu Dam. Department of Irrigation and Drainage Federal 
Territory director C. L. Liew said the huts were built by squatters. Several areas in the catchment area showed evidence of land clearing and farming. Fuad said the Land Office had to check the claim that the huts and land clearing had been approved. If so, the settlers would have to be relocated and compensated. He said land clearing and farming within the catchment area posed a problem as fertilisers and pesticides could get washed into the dam which acts as both a flood retention reservoir and also for water supply. The Sungai Batu water treatment plant, which treats 113.7 million litres daily, draws water from the dam."// (New Straits Times, 20 May 1998: {{ :akhbar:nst-1998-05-20-batudam-settlers.pdf ||}}[[https://books.google.com.my/books?id=LVtPAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA4&article_id=6734,6302308|"Checks on legal status of Batu Dam settlers"]]).

===== 1998-05-28: Pewartaan Kawasan Tadahan Air =====

//"A total of 43,338 hectares out of 230.447ha of permanent forest reserve near six dams and 17 water intake plants 
in Selangor will be gazetted as water catchment zones to prevent them from being developed in future. All areas now identified as water catchment areas in Selangor are not gazetted as such but were only gazetted as permanent for- 
est reserves. Menteri Besar Datuk Abu Hassan Omar said the areas involved were in the forest reserves of Hulu Selangor (14.825ha), Semangkok (1.430ha), Bukit Tarik (1,291 ha) and Bukit Belata (260ha). Other areas to be gazetted as such are at the forest reserves of Bukit Tunggal (1.774ha), Rantau Panjang (393ha), Bukit Cerakah (891 ha), Bukit Lagong (799ha), Hulu Gombak (9.764ha), Ampang (2.066ha), Hulu Langat (4,28.5ha), Sungai Lalang (5.014ha) and 556ha at Bukit Sungai Puteh. Most of the permanent forest reserves involved are those in the surrounding areas of Sungai Buloh Dam, Tasik Subang Dam, Sungai Batu Dam, Klang Gate Dam, Pansoon Dam and the Semenyih Dam. Others are permanent forest reserves surrounding 17 water intake plants - five along Sungai Selangor, one each along Sungai Buaya, Sungai Buloh, Sungai Batu, Sungai Rumput, Sungai Semenyih, Sungai Serai and in Gombak, Bukit Nanas, Rantau Panjang ,Hulu Langat, Ampang and North Hammock. \\
\\
He said the areas would be gazetted once the detailed plans for the affected areas were drawn up by the departments of Land and Mines and Forestry within one month. "Once all these areas have been gazetted as water catchment zones, they will not be allowed to be converted for any purpose, including logging, development or agricultural activities. "By gazetting the areas as water catchment zones we hope to protect all water sources to ensure there 
will always be adequate water supply in the State," he told reporters after launching the Selangor Development Expo 1998 today. Abu Hassan said some of the forest reserves to be gazetted as water catchment zones were situated quite 
far from any dam or water intake plants. He said in deciding how large a permanent forest reserve area was to be gazetted, factors such as topography of the area with regard to the existing dams and water intake plants would be taken into account. "Some parts of a forest reserve, although it is situated quite close to a dam or water intake plant will not be gazetted as such because it is separated by high ridges thus water run-off from this area will not contribute to the water level of the dam or the water intake plant."//

(Sumber: New Straits Times, 28 Mei 1998: {{ :akhbar:nst-1998-05-28-gazetting-catchmentzones.pdf ||}}[[https://books.google.com.my/books?id=p_VOAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA3&article_id=6650,2304530|"43,338ha to be gazetted as catchment zones"]]).

===== 2008: Penutupan Muara Sungai Batu =====

{{:gambar:e-batu10.jpg?300|}}{{:gambar:e-batu9.jpg?300|}}{{:gambar:e-batu8.jpg?300|}}

//"Tetapi semenjak dari penghujung tahun 2008, kawasan sepanjang 400 meter dari muara Sungai Batu sehingga ke jambatan Jln Sungai Tua, tidak lagi boleh di gunakan sebagai tempat perkelahan...Pembinaan tembok batu bukan sahaja telah menyekat penggunaan sungai sebagai tempat rekreasi malah telah mencacatkan pandangan. Papan tanda larangan juga telah dipacakkan untuk mengumumkan penutupan kawasan tersebut. Apa yang menjadi persoalan di sini adalah...apakah kepentingan penutupan kawasan ini? Hanya kerana terdapatnya Projek Pemeliharaan Ikan Kelah? Bolehkah ikan kelah hidup di muara sungai sedangkan di pangkal sungai merupakan tempat perkelahan? Hidupkah ikan kelah di air tohor dan kotor? Apa yang lebih menjadi kemusykilan, hari ini, tempat yang diwartakan sebagai tempat larangan ini dilihat telah dijadikan sebagai tempat rekreasi, tempat mandi manda....tetapi hanya untuk orang tertentu sahaja....malahan ada binaan tandas sementara yang disalurkan ke Sungai Batu sisa buangannya.... Haruskah situasi ini dibiarkan berterusan?"//

(Sumber: Riverstone Eco Resort, 11 Mac 2010: {{ :laman:riverstone_eco_resort_empangan_batu.pdf ||}}[[https://riverstoneecoresort.blogspot.com/2010/03/empangan-batu.html|"Empangan Batu"]]).

===== Peta Lokasi: 2026 =====

{{:peta:peta-empanganbatu-2025.png?400|Peta lokasi Empangan Batu, 2026}} \\
Peta lokasi Empangan Batu, 2026 ([[https://mapcarta.com/W916079969|Mapcarta]]).

===== Koleksi Gambar =====

==== Riverstone Eco Resort (2010) ====

{{:gambar:e-batu3-1.jpg?300|Muara Sungai Batu}}{{:gambar:e-batu14.jpg?300|}}{{:gambar:e-batu17.jpg?300|}}
 \\
**Kiri**: //"Muara Sungai Batu"//

{{:gambar:kuala_sg_tua.jpg?300|Kuala Sungai Tua}}{{:gambar:e-batu12.jpg?300|Muara Sungai Tua dan Sungai Bisul}}{{:gambar:e-batu16.jpg?300|Pelantar aktiviti sukan 'Rowing'}} \\
**Kiri**: //"Muara Sungai Tua"// \\
**Tengah**: //"Muara Sungai Tua dan Sungai Bisul"// \\
**Kanan**: //"Pelantar aktiviti sukan 'Rowing'"//

{{:gambar:e-batu4.jpg?300|}}{{:gambar:e-batu15.jpg?300|Senja di R1}}{{:gambar:e-batu3-2.jpg?300|Senja - R2}} \\
**Kiri**: //"Terdapat juga tempat-tempat rehat di tepi jalan di sepanjang Empangan ini yang di namakan R1, R2 dan R3. Pengguna laluan Sg Tua - Ulu Yam boleh berhenti dan berehat seketika di gazebo yang dibina di tempat-tempat rehat ini. Selain dari menikmati kesegaran udara tasik dan keindahan hutan."// \\
**Tengah**: //"Senja di R1"// \\
**Kanan**: //"Senja - R2"//

{{:gambar:ebatu_3.jpg?300|Pandangan dari muara Sungai Batu menghala ke Riverstone Eco Resort}}{{:gambar:e-batu5.jpg?300|}}{{:gambar:e-batu6.jpg?300|}} \\
**Kiri**: //"Pandangan dari muara Sungai Batu menghala ke Riverstone Eco Resort"// \\
**Tengah**: //"Keindahan Sg Tua yang masih belum tercemar tidak diketahui ramai. Untuk ke sini anda perlu berjalan kaki selama satu jam melalui jalan hutan dan bukit. Tetapi perjalanan anda amat berbaloi kerana anda akan menikmati keindahan Sg Tua...airnya yang jernih, sejuk dan anak-anak ikan berwarna-warni dapat anda lihat hidup tanpa gangguan di sini..."// \\
**Kanan**: //"Kami di Riverstone Eco Resort sering mengadakan kerja-kerja pembersihan di sekitaran dan muara Sungai Batu atau bagi penduduk setempat dikenali sebagai Kampung Bakar Batu. Oleh itu bagi pemancing yang sering ke sini kami ingin menyeru supaya anda menjaga kebersihan dan jangan buang sampah merata-rata. Hargailah keindahan alam sekitar kita. Ingat kita tidak mewarisi alam dan isinya tetapi meminjamnya dari anak-anak kita...."//

(Sumber: Riverstone Eco Resort, 11 Mac 2010: {{ :laman:riverstone_eco_resort_empangan_batu.pdf ||}}[[https://riverstoneecoresort.blogspot.com/2010/03/empangan-batu.html|"Empangan Batu"]]).

==== Attractions Area in Selangor (2013) ====

{{:gambar:taman_ampangan_batu.jpg?450|}}

{{:gambar:sekitar_ampangan_2.jpg?310|The atmosphere around the Batu dam.}}{{:gambar:aktiviti_memancing.jpg?310|Fishing around the dam.}}{{:gambar:aktiviti_kayak.jpg?280|Activities kayaking around the dam.}} \\
**Kiri**: //"The atmosphere around the Batu dam."// \\
**Tengah**: //"Fishing around the dam."//
**Kanan**: //"Activities kayaking around the dam."// \\

{{:gambar:sekitar_ampangan_3.jpg?610|}}{{:gambar:aktiviti_berbasikal.jpg?290|Cycling activities around Dam.}} \\
//"Cycling activities around Dam."// 

(Sumber: Attractions Area In Selangor, Mac 2013: {{ :laman:attractions_area_in_selangor_empangan_batu_ulu_yam.pdf ||}}[[https://beautifulselangor.blogspot.com/2013/03/empangan-batu-ulu-yam.html|"Empangan Batu, Ulu Yam"]]).

==== Majlis Perbandaran Selayang (2016) ====

{{:gambar:destinasi3_0-300x200.jpg?300|}}{{:gambar:destinasi3_1.jpg?300|}}{{:gambar:destinasi3_2-300x200.jpg?300|}} \\
//"Empangan ini merupakan kawasan rekreasi yang popular di kalangan penduduk tempatan. Pada masa ini, kemudahan yang disediakan adalah gerai-gerai, tandas awam serta kemudahan fizikal seperti trek berjalan kaki dan jogging serta kawasan permainan kanak-kanak. Terdapat cadangan untuk memajukan penginapan berbentuk chalet dan kemudahan-kemudahan sokongan yang lain serta aktiviti sukan air tidak bermotor seperti berkayak."// (Majlis Perbandaran Selayang, 2016: {{ :laman:empangan_batu_portal_rasmi_majlis_perbandaran_selayang_mps_.pdf ||}}[[https://web.archive.org/web/20161104214311/https://www.mps.gov.my/ms/pelawat/destinasi-menarik/empangan-batu|"Empangan Batu"]]).