The Croton Aqueduct was completed in 1842, and was one of
the first successful large-scale engineering projects in the United
States. The Croton aqueduct brought water to Manhattan from the Croton
River Dam, forty miles away. It involved the building of a dam, 6 tunnels,
114 culverts, bridges over several valleys, and a major bridge over the
Harlem river. The advantage of the New York system is that the water has
such a good head that no further power is needed for distribution.
The view shows the culvert built over Mill River; it is
less than a mile from the Old Dutch Church near Tarrytown, familiar to
readers of the "Legend of Sleepy Hollow." It carries 35 million
gallons a day through its conduit.
Two other views show the
acqueduct crossing the Harlem River (middle) and in the Clendinning Valley
(bottom).
