It is the oldest reservoir in Singapore since 1868 by impounding water from an earth embankment and was then known at the Impounding Reservoir or Thomson Reservoir. At present more than one kilometre of primary forest is standing in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve there are boardwalks ranging from a distance of 3 kilometres to 11 kilometres. In 2004 the HSBC Tree Top Walk was complete with a 250-metre suspension bridge and at the highest point around 25 metres tall it gave a panoramic view of the Upper Pierce Reservoir and the lush surrounding rain forest while the Jelutong Tower also offer a view of the Singapore Island Country Club golf course and the Macritchie Reservoir. There is also a heritage trail for one to explore.
