East Branch Reservoir, body of water
East Branch Reservoir is a man-made lake in the town of Southeast near Brewster, created by damming the East Branch of the Croton River. The water body covers about 525 acres with an average depth of about 32 feet (10 meters) and holds over 5 billion gallons from a drainage area of approximately 75 square miles.
The reservoir was completed in 1891 and has served as part of New York City's water system for over a century. Its construction flooded the villages of Southeast Center and Milltown, whose remains can still be seen during low water periods.
The reservoir is also called Sodom Reservoir, a name linked to the village that was flooded during its construction. Today, anglers and outdoor visitors come to experience the calm setting and to fish for various species in the water.
Visitors need a free watershed access permit and must register any boat they plan to use; rowboats require department approval. The site is easily accessible from Route 22, with shoreline paths for walking and fishing spots available around the water.
Water flows onward through a tunnel network, including a connection over 1,700 feet long to the Bog Brook Reservoir, before making its way to New York City through several other basins and finally into the Jerome Park Reservoir aqueduct. In winter, parts of the water may freeze, making it a seasonal spot for ice fishing that attracts visitors seeking a different experience.
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