The River Systems in Singapore

There are over 40 small yet separate drainage basins in Singapore, 75% of which having areas of less than 13 km2 (Wong, 1968). The largest is the Sungei Kranji (in its natural condition) and other important basins include Kallang, Sungei Seletar, Sungei Jurong, Sungei Rochore, Sungei Serangoon and Sungei Geylang. Most of the rivers have their sources originating from the Bukit Timah hill, the highest peak in Singapore. Click on thumbnail below to see the map of Drainage Basins and Rivers in Singapore (Prof Wong's thesis).

The abundance of rivers in Singapore is a result of its high annual rainfall and terrain configuration. Currently, only small sections of some rivers in Singapore remain in their natural state, and much of the drainage basins have been greatly modified by urban development. Extensive networks of drains, stormwater sewers, straight and artificial river channels, characterize the urban river system in Singapore. These resulted in drastic changes in hydrology and aquatic ecology of the river system, which is main focus of this courseware.