Shihmen Reservoir in Taoyuan

Shihmen Reservoir in Taoyuan

Shihmen Reservoir is located in the southeastern part of Longtan Township, Taoyuan, renowned nationwide for its picturesque landscape of lakes and mountains, with over a dozen scenic spots interconnected within the area.

Shihmen Reservoir boasts tree-lined parks of all sizes, walking trails, dams, and lake cruises. The surrounding scenery is incredibly beautiful and unmatched. It fulfills multiple functions such as power generation, irrigation, flood control, water supply, and tourism. The top of the dam serves as the reservoir's sightseeing hub, offering sweeping views of the vast lake surface, the terraces of the Dahan River, and the rolling Taoyuan Plateau. From the dock below the parking lot, visitors can take a boat ride to experience the thrill of riding the waves or the romantic charm of gently floating with the currents.

Shihmen Reservoir is situated between Daxi Town, Longtan Township, Fuxing Township in Taoyuan County, and Guanxi Town in Hsinchu County, Taiwan. It is Taiwan’s first multi-purpose reservoir and one of the island’s most important. Its water source comes from the middle reaches of the Dahan River. Construction began in July 1956, took eight years to complete, and was officially finished in June 1964. The project involved over 7,000 workers and cost approximately NT$3.2 billion.

Managed and operated by the Shihmen Reservoir Management Center under the Water Resources Bureau, Northern Region, Water Resources Agency, Ministry of Economic Affairs, the dam has a crest elevation of 252.1 meters, a maximum height of 133.1 meters, and a crest length of 360 meters. Its planned annual water usage is 815,205,600 cubic meters. Beyond its conventional benefits such as irrigation, power generation, water supply, and flood control, the reservoir also offers substantial tourism value, attracting large numbers of visitors from around the world every year. It is one of the premier scenic destinations in Taoyuan County, surrounded by beautiful lakes and mountains. From the dam crest area, visitors can take in the expansive lake surface, the terraced landscape of the Dahan River, and the undulating scenery of the Taoyuan Plateau. During heavy rainfall, the dam often releases floodwaters, drawing many visitors who brave the rain to witness the spectacular sight.