Ducks swimming on Oike, a large pond located between Residence L and the Student Village. Apart from ducks there are turtles, large carp, and occasionally some swans. It is a good place to chill out, or for jogging and strolling.

This pond is one of a number of man-made ponds and lakes in the area. Originally built to provide irrigation for wet-rice agriculture, these days they are maintained for recreational purposes and for flood control. During the torrential rain that often accompanies typoons, Oike and the series of ponds downstream are the main protection provided to the houses and roads nearer to our campus. Oike is able to hold about 3 times the volume of water depicted in the photograph, releasing the water slowly as the rains abate.

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