Prepare to be amazed by the story of the New Croton Dam, also called Cornell Dam. This impressive structure helps form the New Croton Reservoir. Both are vital parts of New York City’s water supply system.
The New Croton Dam stretches across the Croton River. It is located near Croton-on-Hudson, New York. This is about 22 miles north of New York City.
Construction on the New Croton Dam began in 1892. It was completed in 1906. Alphonse Fteley designed the masonry dam. It is 266 feet broad at its base. From base to crest, it stands 297 feet high. When finished, it was the tallest dam in the world.
The New Croton Dam can hold up to 19 billion US gallons of water. This is only a small part of New York City’s total water storage. The city’s system can hold 580 billion US gallons.
The original Croton Dam was built earlier. It was made between 1837 and 1842. Its purpose was to improve New York City’s water supply. By 1881, it could supply about 90 million US gallons a day. This water went to the city through the Old Croton Aqueduct. As water needs grew, a new Croton system was ordered in 1885.
Building the New Croton Dam was a massive project. The dam and reservoir were planned to cover 20 square miles. This land included buildings, cemeteries, and farms. Disputes over land led to protests and lawsuits.
The workforce included stonemasons. Some had worked on the original dam. John B. Goldsborough hired stonemasons from southern Italy. They moved to New York for the work.
Constructing the New Croton Dam meant changing the river’s path. Workers dug a canal in the hill on the north side of the river. It was 1000 feet long and 200 feet wide. They secured it with a masonry wall. Temporary dams controlled the water flow. The initial construction took eight years. Modifications and repairs continued for six more years. Working conditions were often tough.
The dam’s foundation goes 130 feet below the riverbed. It contains 850000 cubic yards of masonry. The spillway is 1000 feet long. The total length of the dam and spillway is 2188 feet.
Work began in 1892 on A.B. Cornell’s property. This was 4 miles downstream from the original dam. The new reservoir submerged the old dam. New Croton Reservoir could supply 200 to 300 million US gallons a day. A new aqueduct carried water to Jerome Park Reservoir in the Bronx.
The bridge over the spillway was replaced in 1975 and 2005. After the September 11 attacks, the road across the dam was almost closed. Now, pedestrians and emergency vehicles can use New Croton Dam Road. Other traffic is re-routed.
Croton Gorge Park offers views of the dam. The Old Croton Trail ends near the dam’s base.
Isn’t it remarkable how the New Croton Dam has played such a crucial role in New York City’s water supply? Its impressive design and rich history make it a true engineering marvel.