Schoharie Reservoir, body of water
Schoharie Reservoir is a large water body in upstate New York's Catskill Mountains, created by damming Schoharie Creek and spanning about 6 miles in length. The water can hold roughly 17.6 billion gallons when full, surrounded by forested hills and a natural landscape that remains mostly undisturbed.
Schoharie Reservoir was built in 1926 by damming Schoharie Creek to create a major water supply source. The water flows through the Shandaken Tunnel and continues through multiple reservoirs and aqueducts to eventually reach New York City.
The Schoharie Reservoir is named after Schoharie Creek, which feeds it as part of New York's water system for distant cities. The place reflects how rural landscapes serve larger populations, blending natural surroundings with practical water management.
Visitors need a permit from the NYC Department of Environmental Protection to access the reservoir through designated launch points. Small non-motorized boats such as canoes, kayaks, and rowboats are allowed with proper cleaning and permits, and boating is limited to daylight hours between May and October.
Water moves quickly through the nearly 19-mile Shandaken Tunnel flowing eastward rather than lingering in the basin for long storage. It travels through a complex system of tunnels and aqueducts that eventually carries it over 90 miles beneath the Hudson River to reach New York City.
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