Marina Barrage

Marina Barrage is a dam across the mouth of Marina Channel at 8 Marina Gardens Drive in Marina South, built by PUB and officially opened on 31 October 2008, that turned Marina Bay into a freshwater reservoir. Marina Reservoir became Singapore's 15th reservoir and the first in the city centre, and PUB commissioned it for water supply on 20 November 2010 after rainwater had gradually replaced the seawater. Its catchment of 10,000 hectares is the largest and most urbanised in the country. The barrage also guards against floods: in heavy rain nine crest gates release stormwater into the sea at low tide, and giant pumps drain it at high tide, protecting low-lying areas such as Chinatown, Boat Quay, Jalan Besar and Geylang.

The public areas and the grassy Green Roof are open 24 hours, and the roof is a favourite spot for kite flying and picnics with a wide view across the water to the city skyline. Because the water level stays steady, the reservoir is used for kayaking, sailing and dragon boating. Inside, the Sustainable Singapore Gallery explains how the country manages water and the environment; it opens daily from 9am to 6pm but closes from 12pm to 1pm and all day on Tuesdays, with hourly guided tours until 5pm. The nearest MRT station is Gardens by the Bay on the Thomson-East Coast Line, and bus 400 runs from Marina Bay Financial Centre and Tanjong Pagar. The children's Water Playground closes without notice during heavy rain or lightning.