[2] In 1870, the growth of Cape Town led to shortages of drinking water.

It was decided to build a reservoir on Table Mountain to provide water to the city.

Scottish hydraulic engineer Thomas Stewart was engaged to design and build the reservoir.

It was used to divert the Disa Stream, a tributary of the Hout Bay River, westward to provide water for the reservoir.

The reservoir has a capacity of 927,000 m3 (32,737,000 cu ft) and a surface area of 13 ha (32 acres).