The Croton Dam

Map and Access

Current or upcoming events at this location

Saturday, April 27, 2024 - 11:00am
Presenter: 
Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct

Enjoy a free, easy, 2 miles/hours (total) loop hike north along the Aqueduct and atop the beautiful Croton Dam. Meet near the restrooms at the rear (south end) of the parking lot at Croton Gorge Park, Rte. 129, Cortlandt, NY. 10567, GPS Coordinates: 41.22603, -73.85770. The leader of the hike will discuss the history and construction of the Old Croton Aqueduct and the features of the Croton Dam, the trailhead of the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail. The Aqueduct was completed in 1842 to supply fresh water to a thirsty New York City. (From Metro-North Hudson Line Croton-Harmon Train Station: 15-minute taxi.)

Walk may be rescheduled if weather does not cooperate.
Required: preregistration

Related Newsletter Articles and Blog Entries

Author: 
FOCAAdmin

Guest post by Friends David and Susan Rosenzweig

On October 27, 2021, we drove to the Croton Gorge to view the dam. Considering the very heavy rain we had over the prior two days, we expected a voluminous amount of water going over the dam.

Our guess was correct!

About a quarter of a mile before we reached the dam, we could hear a thundrous noise. As we approached the bridge, the noise of rushing water was very loud and the spray was like rain.

Note the small tree on the dam's spillway.

 

Croton Dam Inspection 2020, photo: Tom Tarnowsky
Croton Dam Inspection 2020, photo: Tom Tarnowsky
Author: 
FOCAAdmin

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection closed the public walkway atop New Croton Dam for five days earlier this month, creating a safe work zone for an inspection of the dam.

The closure allowed a team of rope-access technicians to rappell down the face of the dam and inspect the stones that were used to build the structure 115 years ago. It was the largest dam in the world when it was completed in 1905.

Newsletter Issue: 
26, Spring 2007
Newsletter Issue: 
25 Winter 2006-2007
Newsletter Issue: 
03, May 1999