Singapore replaced concrete drain with river; biodiversity rose 30%
Singapore transformed a 2.7-km concrete canal at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park into a 3-km meandering river between 2009 and 2011. The project created a flood plain and more varied river habitat. Later research found 26 fish species in the rehabilitated section, including three native species, compared with eight non-native species in an untreated canal section.
In 2012, Singapore transformed a 2.7-kilometer concrete canal, part of its extensive stormwater drainage system, into a meandering river within the Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park. The Active, Beautiful, Clean (ABC) Waters Programme, a government-led initiative, aimed to enhance biodiversity and manage stormwater runoff. Between 2009 and 2011, the rehabilitated river incorporated landscaped banks, native plants, and a floodplain.
This design not only altered the river's appearance but also sought to improve its ecological condition and flood management capabilities. Within just a few years, the rehabilitated Kallang River displayed a 30% increase in biodiversity, with a higher number of fish species and a greater proportion of native fish compared to an untreated canal section downstream.
The rehabilitation introduced various habitats, including plants and natural materials, which created a more diverse environment for aquatic life. However, non-native fish species, such as Quetzal cichlid and tilapia, still dominated the fish population in the rehabilitated river. Despite this, the project successfully created a new type of urban freshwater ecosystem that combined the benefits of a park for recreation and a floodplain during heavy rainfall events.
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