West Branch Reservoir, reservoir on the West Branch of the Croton River, New York
West Branch Reservoir is a large water storage facility in Putnam County, New York, roughly 35 miles (56 km) north of New York City. The structure consists of two separate basins divided by State Route 301 and can hold approximately 8 billion gallons (30 billion liters) of water.
The facility was constructed in the late 1800s and began operations in 1895 as a critical component of New York City's water supply system. It was built to store water from the West Branch of the Croton River and support the growing water needs of the expanding city.
The site is open to the public but requires a permit from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection for fishing activities. The area is best suited for walking and wildlife observation rather than swimming or camping, and visitors should follow posted regulations carefully.
During drought periods, water can be pumped from the Hudson River via the Chelsea Pumping Station to supplement the reservoir when rainfall is insufficient. This backup supply system demonstrates how the facility adapts to maintain water availability during dry spells.
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