Diverting Reservoir, body of water
The Diverting Reservoir is a small water storage facility in Southeast, Putnam County, located roughly 35 miles north of New York City, with a capacity of around 900 million gallons. A concrete dam measuring 55 feet high holds back the East Branch of the Croton River, while a channel and dividing weir connect it to the nearby Croton Falls Reservoir, allowing water to flow between the two based on supply needs.
Construction of the dam began in the early 1900s and finished in 1911 as part of New York City's effort to expand its water supply system. A major rehabilitation project started in 2007, which included replacing valves and pipes, remodeling the spillway, and restoring concrete surfaces on the dam structure.
The Diverting Reservoir traces its name to its function in controlling water flow between branches of the Croton River system. Locals view this place as a quiet part of their water supply infrastructure, shaped by early 20th century engineering that transformed the landscape.
A trail alongside the reservoir offers easy walking with flat terrain shaded by trees, extending about 1 mile in each direction from the trailhead near Railroad Avenue in Brewster. No permits are required to visit, and parking is available along the road near the trail entrance.
The trail crosses Brady Farm, where brothers Jedediah and Nemeniah Wood sheltered wounded soldiers during the American Revolution and transported sick troops to Danbury Hospital. Jedediah lived past 90 years and is buried on a small hill overlooking the property, and the path remained closed to the public until 2014 after volunteers cleared invasive plants and debris.
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