Shihmen Dam in Taoyuan, Taiwan — live webcam

Introduction: live broadcast from Shihmen Dam

Shihmen Dam in Taoyuan is one of the most impressive engineering structures in northwestern Taiwan. This 133.1-meter stone embankment dam blocks the Dahan River, creating a vast reservoir of clear blue water surrounded by green hills. The live webcam broadcasts a real-time panorama of the dam: a curved concrete wall with vehicles driving across and pedestrians strolling along, a reservoir with piers and moored boats, and dense forests covering the mountain slopes in the background. The observation deck to the left of the dam offers a view of the spillway, and the red "LIVE" banner at the top of the frame confirms this is a live broadcast, not a recording.

Construction history: nine years to build a giant

Construction of Shihmen Dam began in 1955 and lasted nine years. The project was designed by the American engineering firm Tippetts-Abbett-McCarthy-Stratton, and construction was supervised by Morrison-Knudsen — the same company that participated in the construction of the legendary Hoover Dam in the United States. In 1964, the dam was officially commissioned, becoming Taiwan's first multipurpose dam. Unlike many other dams in the region, Shihmen was designed from the outset not only as a hydraulic structure but also as a tourism and recreation center.

Technical specifications: architecture of a stone embankment dam

Shihmen Dam is a stone embankment dam (earth-and-stone embankment dam) standing 133.1 meters tall. The structure includes unique engineering solutions: a multilevel intake with three levels, a spillway for floodwater discharge, a drainage tunnel, the Shihmen power station, a desilting tunnel for sediment removal, irrigation tunnels, and a Permanent River Outlet with a design flow rate of 34 m³/s. The length of the dam along the crest accommodates a road, where vehicle and pedestrian traffic can be observed in real time via the webcam. The curved shape of the dam not only gives it aesthetic appeal but also ensures optimal water pressure distribution.

Shihmen Reservoir: third largest in Taiwan

Shihmen Reservoir ranks as the third largest reservoir in Taiwan. Before larger reservoirs were commissioned, it was the largest artificial lake in the Far East region. The reservoir stretches across the mountain valley of the Dahan River — one of the three main tributaries of the Tamsui River. The water in the reservoir is notable for its clarity and rich blue color, clearly visible on the webcam broadcast. The water area features piers with moored boats used for tourist cruises and fishing.

Purpose of the dam: water, electricity, and flood protection

Shihmen is Taiwan's first multipurpose dam, simultaneously addressing several critical tasks. It generates electricity through its own power station, supplies water to cities and agricultural lands, irrigates rice fields in the Taoyuan region, controls flooding in the Tamsui River basin, and supports tourism development. During typhoon and monsoon seasons, the dam absorbs the impact of floodwaters, protecting downstream settlements. The live webcam allows real-time monitoring of the reservoir water level, which is especially interesting during surplus water discharge through the spillway.

Tourist infrastructure: observation decks and attractions

The Shihmen Reservoir area has evolved into a full-fledged tourist cluster. At the top of the dam sits an observation deck (flood-viewing platform) offering a panorama of the spillway and surrounding mountains. A circular walkway and a bicycle path allow visitors to explore the surroundings on foot or by bike. The reservoir area boasts over a dozen attractions: Jiangmu Island, Amuping, View Cafe, forest zones, and lake cruises. The Shimen Fullon Hotel, overlooking the reservoir, welcomes guests. The webcam captures not only the dam itself but also part of the tourist infrastructure — buildings and the observation deck to the left of the dam.

How to get to Shihmen Dam from Taoyuan

From downtown Taoyuan, the dam can be reached in three ways: by bus (including route 503), taxi, or car. The cheapest option costs around 2 dollars, and the fastest takes about 27 minutes. The road leads south from the city into the mountainous terrain, gradually ascending toward the reservoir. For those who want to see the dam in person and not just through the webcam, a clear day is recommended — this way you can appreciate the contrast of blue water and green slopes that makes Shihmen one of the most photographed spots in northern Taiwan.

What the camera shows

The live webcam broadcasts a real-time panorama of Shihmen Dam. In the center of the frame is the curved concrete dam with a road where vehicles drive and pedestrians stroll. Behind the dam stretches a large reservoir of clear blue water, with piers and moored boats visible in the water area. In the background are green hills and mountains covered with dense forest. To the left of the dam are buildings, an observation deck, and infrastructure. The red "LIVE" banner at the top of the frame confirms this is a live broadcast. The camera operates around the clock, allowing you to observe the dam and reservoir at any time of day — from morning mist over the water to evening illumination of the dam.