New Croton Dam

New Croton Dam is a masonry barrier in Westchester County, United States, spanning 1,500 feet and rising 297 feet above the Croton River. The structure forms New Croton Reservoir, which holds roughly 19 billion gallons.

Work began in 1892 and finished in 1906, using about five million bricks. Completion replaced an older structure and supplied New York City with additional drinking water.

The materials for this water barrier came from nearby quarries, with crews fitting each block by hand. Workers lived in temporary settlements along the river during construction, which you can still trace through scattered ruins and foundation stones today.

Several overlooks in Croton Gorge Park offer views of the spillway and the gorge below. Paths are relatively short, so you can walk around and take photographs comfortably.

The structure appears on the National Register of Historic Places and displays a rare mix of granite and brick masonry. Inside, a drainage network runs through the entire barrier, invisible from the outside.