Croton River
Encyclopedia
The Croton River is a river in southern New York
that begins where the East
and West Branches of the Croton River meet a little way downstream from the Croton Falls Reservoir
. Shortly downstream, the Croton River, along with its tributary, the Muscoot River, flow into the Muscoot Reservoir
, and after flowing through that, it empties into the New Croton Reservoir
, which feeds the New Croton Aqueduct
supplying water to New York City
. Excess water leaves the spillway at the New Croton Dam
, and finally empties into the Hudson River
at Croton-on-Hudson, New York
at Croton Point
, about 30 miles north of New York City. The river has a a watershed area of 361 square miles.
In the 1890s, New York City
ordered the destruction or relocation of any village lining the Croton or its tributaries that threatened to pollute them; the Croton was, and still is, an important part of the water supply of New York City. Many of the villages and hamlets were moved. The city chose this kind of source protection instead of resorting to expensive filtration.
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
that begins where the East
East Branch Croton River
The East Branch Croton River is a river in southern New York state.It rises in the town of Pawling in Dutchess County, flowing west and then south through the village of Pawling. It crosses into Putnam County, flowing through the Great Swamp in the town of Patterson...
and West Branches of the Croton River meet a little way downstream from the Croton Falls Reservoir
Croton Falls Reservoir
The Croton Falls Reservoir is a small reservoir that is located in Putnam County, New York in the Croton Watershed. It is within the townships of Carmel, New York, and Southeast, New York, making it over 30 miles north of New York City, which the reservoir supplies water to...
. Shortly downstream, the Croton River, along with its tributary, the Muscoot River, flow into the Muscoot Reservoir
Muscoot Reservoir
The Muscoot Reservoir is a reservoir in northern Westchester County, New York. It is located directly north of the village of Katonah, New York, and is over 25 miles north of New York City, which the reservoir eventually supplies with tapwater...
, and after flowing through that, it empties into the New Croton Reservoir
New Croton Reservoir
The New Croton reservoir is a narrow reservoir in Westchester County, New York, lying approximately north of New York City, for which the reservoir supplies water. It is the collecting point for water from all reservoirs in the Croton Watershed....
, which feeds the New Croton Aqueduct
New Croton Aqueduct
The New Croton aqueduct, built roughly parallel to the Old Croton aqueduct was constructed to provide a large steady water supply for New York City. The aqueduct opened on July 15, 1890...
supplying water to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Excess water leaves the spillway at the New Croton Dam
New Croton Dam
The New Croton Dam, part of the New York City water supply system, stretches across the Croton River near Croton-on-Hudson, New York, about north of New York City. Construction began in 1892 and was completed in 1906. Designed by Alphonse Fteley , this masonry dam is broad at its base and high...
, and finally empties into the Hudson River
Hudson River
The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
at Croton-on-Hudson, New York
Croton-on-Hudson, New York
Croton-on-Hudson is a village in Westchester County, New York, United States. The population was 8,070 at the 2010 census. It is located in the town of Cortlandt, in New York City's northern suburbs...
at Croton Point
Croton Point
Croton Point is a Westchester County park in the village of Croton-on-Hudson.The park has several public attractions including:*Miniature Aircraft airport*Boat launch*Cabin Rental*Cross country skiing*Fishing*Group picnicking*Hiking/walking*Museum...
, about 30 miles north of New York City. The river has a a watershed area of 361 square miles.
History
In 1884, the engineers of the Aqueduct Commission of the City of New York had to design a masonry dam, from 275 to 300 ft. high, which was to be built across the Croton River, near its mouth, to form a large storage reservoir for providing a water supply to New York City. The Croton Falls Dam was built and the resulting reservoir, which was placed into service in 1911, can hold 14.2 billion US gallons (54,000,000 m3) of water at full capacity, and has a drainage basin of 16 square miles (25.6 km²).In the 1890s, New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
ordered the destruction or relocation of any village lining the Croton or its tributaries that threatened to pollute them; the Croton was, and still is, an important part of the water supply of New York City. Many of the villages and hamlets were moved. The city chose this kind of source protection instead of resorting to expensive filtration.