# New Croton Dam

The New Croton Dam is a masonry gravity dam forming the New Croton Reservoir as part of the New York City water supply system. Located near Croton-on-Hudson, New York, approximately 22 miles north of NYC, the structure spans the Croton River.

Key Specifications: - Height: 297 feet (91 m) - Base width: 266 feet (81 m) - Length: 2,188 feet (667 m) - Water capacity: up to 19 billion US gallons - Construction period: 1892-1906 - Designer: Alphonse Fteley

## Background

The original Croton Dam was built between 1837 and 1842 to serve New York City's water needs. By 1881, after repairs, the Old Croton Reservoir supplied about 90 million US gallons a day via the Old Croton Aqueduct. Growing demand prompted the Aqueduct Commission to order construction of a new system in 1885.

The planned reservoir would cover 20 square miles of land, including public and private buildings, six cemeteries, and over 400 farms. This sparked protests, lawsuits, and confusion regarding land condemnation before construction commenced.

## Construction

Work began in 1892 on A.B. Cornell's property, four miles downstream from the original dam. The project required diverting the river and creating a crescent-shaped canal 1,000 feet long and 200 feet wide with a masonry retaining wall to control water flow.

The initial eight-year construction phase involved stonemasons and laborers from previous dam projects, supplemented by stonemasons recruited from southern Italy. Labor disputes arose, documented in the 1900 film "The Croton Dam Strike."

At completion in 1906, the dam became the tallest dam in the world. Its foundation extends 130 feet below the riverbed, containing 850,000 cubic yards of masonry. The completed reservoir could supply 200 to 300 million US gallons a day through a new aqueduct to Jerome Park Reservoir in the Bronx.

## Repair

The spillway bridge underwent replacement in 1975 and 2005. Following the September 11 attacks, the NYC Department of Environmental Protection proposed closing the road across the dam to general traffic, allowing only pedestrians and emergency vehicles. Permanent barriers were planned after completion of a 2011 rehabilitation project.

## Discharge Data

The U.S. Geological Survey maintains discharge records beginning in 1933. The maximum recorded discharge occurred on October 16, 1955, at 33,000 cubic feet per second following Hurricanes Connie and Diane. Hurricane Ida in 2021 produced an average daily discharge of 10,100 cfs.

## Trails

Croton Gorge Park offers direct downstream views. The Old Croton Trail, following the historic aqueduct route, has an endpoint near the dam's base. Nearby attractions include Teatown Lake Reservation and Croton Point Park in Croton-on-Hudson.