Lost Rivers

Lost Rivers traces the transformation of Singapore’s waterways from vibrant, life-giving streams into engineered concrete conduits. The narrative explores the island's river-rich past, highlighting how the Stamford Canal (Sungei Bras Basah) served as a critical freshwater source that influenced British colonisation and early town planning. The documentary examines the social history of these banks, from colonial penal settlements and the "Dhoby Ghaut" washermen to the bustling industrial hubs along the Kallang and Rochor rivers, which once supported sawmills, ice factories, and the unique community of Kampong Pulau Minyak. As the city modernized, the focus shifted to post-independence flood control, driving widespread canalization and reservoir construction. Finally, the film contrasts these historical engineering feats with contemporary initiatives, like the naturalisation of Bishan Park, which attempts to soften the landscape and restore biodiversity to these forgotten corridors.