New York City is the largest city in the United States, but it wouldn’t be what it is today without the Old Croton Aqueduct. If you want to truly understand New York its water supply, its growth, and even its spirit you can’t just read about the Aqueduct. You have to walk it.
My journey with the Old Croton Aqueduct began with a simple question: Where does all this clean water come from? Why do we waste it so easily? Was it always this way? My curiosity led me to the history of the Aqueduct – the city’s first great water system.
In my research, I discovered The Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct, an organization dedicated to preserving and sharing its story. I reached out to them and quickly received a friendly response about their events and guided walks. They recommended I buy their map, a small investment that turned out to be a treasure. It not only guided us through the trail but also revealed the history of every town, village, and city along the way.
My partner, Taylor, and I began our adventure with guides Mario and Michelle, who were fantastic, highlighting important landmarks and answering every question. Together with a group, we walked 15 miles along the New York City section of the trail. The remaining 26 miles, stretching through Westchester County, we completed on our own. Each week we left the trail full of appreciation for nature, for history, and for the incredible engineering that made it all possible.
Walking the Old Croton Aqueduct feels like stepping back in time to an era when water flowed from pristine sources, untouched by chemicals, carried to the city through the vision and work of Irish immigrants and ambitious engineers whose dreams outlived them. There are no words that can fully capture the experience of this walk. It’s a journey through history, nature, and human determination. I truly recommend that everyone living in New York take the time to walk it, to understand not just how the city was built, but why it’s called the greatest city in the world.
Besim Beka
As you enter the gift shop of New York Public Library’s main branch, you’ll cross a small bridge. When you look down on right side, you will see the leftovers of the Old Croton Aqueduct – foundation today for the library but once for the great Murray Hill Reservoir built 1837-1842 under the supervision of John B. Jervis.
Pic: 10/14/25 – B.B.
Old Croton Aqueduct, Seneca Village/York Hill Reservoir at the site of the old Keeper’s House. Today Central Park, NYC. “Just a mown field, yet beneath lies ground of history”.
Pic: 10/05/25-B.B.
119th Street Gatehouse – controlled the flow of water for the Old Croton Aqueduct on Amsterdam Avenue and W.119th St., NYC. “Once full of purpose, now left in the corner, forgotten!”
Pic:10/05/25- B.B.
The fire hydrant right on top, where the Manhattan Valley siphon (a system of sealed pipes that uses gravity and pressure to bring water across the valley) was used in the Old Croton Aqueduct. Today the fire hydrant was dripping 24/7. Do people who walk by know how much this water was needed in the 1835 Great Fire of NY?
Today’s trail on the Old Croton Aqueduct on Amsterdam Avenue, W. 125th St., Morningside Heights, Manhattan, NYC Pic:09/12/25 – B.B.
The High Bridge, Old Croton Aqueduct,1848 finished. The oldest bridge in NYC, it crosses the Harlem River. When built it was one of the most magnificent works of the time. It connects two boroughs, The Bronx and Manhattan, NYC
Pic: 09/12/25 – B.B.
A replica of an Old Croton Aqueduct manhole cover, located in The Bronx. Location: Aqueduct Avenue & W. 192nd street, The Bronx, NYC Pic:09/14/25- B.B.
Old Croton Aqueduct culvert in Tibbets Brook Park – trying to withstand time and nature.
Location: City of Yonkers, NY Pic:10/12/25- B.B.
The Nepperhan Bridge, high embankment built to carry the Old Croton Aqueduct, today with two culverts and two big arches. The fourth arch was added later. The Nepperhan River is now known as the Saw Mill River. Location: City of Yonkers, NY
Pic: 10/12/25- B.B.
The Quarry Railroad Bridge, embankment of the Old Croton Aqueduct. Located today in Quarry Park in the Village of Hastings on Hudson. Designed by John B. Jervis.
Pic. 10/12/25- B.B.
Old Croton Aqueduct culvert on Rowley’s Brook. Located in the Village of Hastings on Hudson, Marvel of architecture.
Pic:10/12/25- B.B
The Keeper’s House, Old Croton Aqueduct. Restored by The Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct and NY State Parks. Today it serves as a museum dedicated to the OCA and as an administrative and educational center. Located in Walnut Street, Village of Dobbs Ferry, NY.
Pic: 09/11/25 – B. B.
The Old Croton Aqueduct embankment. A beautiful fall day in the famous and inspiring neighborhood of Washington Irving where he, too, found peace. Walking along the trail, one can still see the marvel of the Old Croton Aqueduct.
Location: Sunnyside Brook, Village of Irvington, NY
Pic:10/19/25 – B.B.
The Old Croton Aqueduct Ventilator No. 13.
This structure was used to ventilate the Aqueduct, a method that has been employed for thousands of years to release pressure and ensure proper air circulation. The same principle remains essential in modern plumbing, allowing water to flow freely. While walking the trail, we counted 21 ventilators, though some others have not withstood the test of time.
Location: Near Neperan Park, Village of Tarrytown, NY
Pic:10/18/25 -B.B.
Old Croton Aqueduct Trail, embankment at the Pocantico River. When nature combines with human engineering, beauty and purpose flows. The OCA Map guides you here.
Location Village of Sleepy Hollow, NY Pic: 09/28/25 – B.B.
The Old Croton Aqueduct Weir / The Ossining Weir – it was used to direct water outside the Aqueduct with a Gate and discharge pipe when needed due to excess water volume or just maintenance itself.
Location: Town of Ossining. Inside the Aqueduct, facing north, firm – standing brickwork, millions of gallons of water flowed daily to supply NYC.
Pic 09/06/25 – B. B.
The Gate inside the Weir in Ossining used to bypass/divert the water inside the Sing Sing Kill. This weir and its chamber, along with other built alone the Old Croton Aqueduct, made it possible to drain entire section of the Aqueduct for repair or maintenance.
Location: Town of Ossining, NY. Pic: 09/06/25 – B. B.
Old Croton Aqueduct, embankment at Indian Brook. Location: Crotonville, Town of Ossining, NY
Pic:09/15/25 – B.B.
