The memories people have of the reservoir are not only holiday memories. Reports such as "Work Completed on Shihmen Dam" and "Work Starts on Central Cross-Island Highway," grouped together under the banner headline "Government and People Stand Together to Defeat Difficulties," were the cause of almost universal rejoicing.
石門水庫給許多人留下的不只是旅遊的記憶，報上「官民合作，克服萬難」標題下，「石門水庫完工」與「中橫公路開挖」新聞並列，幾乎舉國同歡。