Imagine a hidden oasis. It is a place where nature thrives amidst urban development. That place is Reservoir No.3 Nature Reserve.
Reservoir No.3 Nature Reserve is a man-made reservoir. It is located in New Rochelle, Westchester County, New York. The reservoir was constructed in 1908. It is impounded by the New Rochelle “Reservoir 3 dam” on the Hutchinson River.
The dam is made of earth. It stands 30 feet high and stretches 450 feet long. Reservoir No.3 Nature Reserve spans about 30 acres. It can hold about 128 million US gallons of water. That is 480000 cubic meters. The maximum discharge rate is 1815 cubic feet per second. That is 51.4 cubic meters per second. The reservoir’s capacity is 498 acre-feet. That is 614000 cubic meters. Normal storage is 220 acre-feet. That is 270000 cubic meters. It drains an area of 2.85 square miles. That is 7.4 square kilometers. The Westchester County Department of Parks and Recreation owns it now.
This reservoir stores water for the high-level system. Overflow goes to Reservoir 2 directly. Water from Reservoir No.3 Nature Reserve and Reservoir 2 was pumped. This was done at a pumping station. It went into the mains of the high service system. This served New Rochelle’s northern parts.
The upper end of Reservoir No.3 Nature Reserve is swampy. The Hutchinson River enters here. A small feeder flows into the main river. It is just above the upper end on the east side. Its headwaters are near the parkway. This is 500 or 600 feet east of the main river. That is 150 or 180 meters. The Hutchinson River Parkway crosses the river. This is between Reservoir No.3 Nature Reserve and Reservoir 1. It is about one-half mile above the upper end of Reservoir No.3 Nature Reserve. That is 0.80 kilometers.
Hiking Point Peter from Reservoir No.3 Nature Reserve is a popular activity. The 10.4-mile loop is not too difficult. The trail is designed for bikes. Some parts can be rocky. There are some uphills, but not too steep.
Halfway through the trail, you reach the observation point. The views are beautiful. You can see the mountains, Port Jervis, and the Delaware River. You can also see the Pennsylvania side. Closer to the trail, it gets louder. You can hear dogs barking and cars beeping. Still, the view is beautiful. Most people park nearby and do a short hike to the observation point.
Choosing the right path can be tricky. Even with a map, wrong turns can happen. There are three different blue paths to choose from after the observation point. If you pick the wrong path, you may need to turn around.
The trail is active with nature. There are many chipmunks. You might see deer and birds. Hawks and eagles fly overhead at the observation point. You will also see streams. Make sure to bring plenty of water.
Reservoir No.3 Nature Reserve is more than just a reservoir. It is a haven for wildlife and a place for people to connect with nature. It stands as a reminder of the past. It also showcases nature’s resilience in an urban world.