The Croton River watershed is the drainage basin of the Croton River and its seven tributary rivers, a hydrological feature in far southeastern New York State. Spanning large swaths of Putnam and Westchester counties, it is over in area and holds some of fresh water.
Largely physically overlapping the New York City water supply system's engineered Croton Watershed, the Croton River watershed represents the drainage and flow of some seven rivers, one dozen reservoirs, three controlled lakes,New York State Department of Health Regulations, Part 128-1.6(a)(20) - Definitions: Controlled lake Lake Mahopac, and countless smaller lakes and ponds.
The vast majority of the Croton River watershed water ends up in the New Croton Reservoir, then is taken via the New Croton Aqueduct to the Jerome Park Reservoir in the Bronx, from which it is distributed to New York City. Water in excess of the city's needs spills over the New Croton Dam at the New Croton Reservoir and is carried by the Croton River into the Hudson River at Croton-on-Hudson, New York, about 30 miles north of the Metropolitan area.
Definition
The Croton River watershed is a hydrological feature, the drainage basin of the Croton River and its tributaries. It is not synonymous with the Croton Watershed, a term describing the rivers, reservoirs, dams, pump systems, and other infrastructure of the southernmost watershed of the New York City water supply system. Numerous small natural lakes and ponds, as well as large Lake Mahopac, are within the river's watershed and ultimately drain into it, but are not owned, leased, or controlled by the City water supply system. A map of the actual Croton Watershed is found here.
The Croton River ( ) is a river in southern New York with three principal tributaries: the West Branch, Middle Branch, and East Branch. Their waters, all part of the City water supply system, join downstream from the Croton Falls Reservoir. Together, their waters and the reservoirs linked to them represent the northern half of the New York City water system's Croton Watershed.
Shortly after the confluence of the three Croton River branches the Croton River proper, along with its tributary, the Muscoot River, flow into the Muscoot Reservoir, after which it empties into the New Croton Reservoir, which feeds the New Croton Aqueduct supplying water to New York City via the Jerome Park Reservoir in the Bronx. Excess water leaves the spillway at the New Croton Dam and empties into the Hudson River at Croton Point, at Croton-on-Hudson, New York, about north of New York City.
Watershed
Waterways Croton River West Branch Middle Branch East Branch Titicus River Muscoot River Cross River
Lakes and ponds Lake Mahopac Lake Carmel Long Pond (Carmel)
Reservoirs Boyds Corner West Branch Middle Branch Croton Falls / Diverting East Branch / Bog Brook Titicus Cross River Amawalk Muscoot New Croton
Controlled lakes Kirk Gilead Gleneida
Aqueduct The New Croton Aqueduct, completed in 1890, brings water from the New Croton Reservoir in Westchester and Putnam counties.
Recreation Limited recreation is permitted within the Croton Watershed. Its guidelines and requirements are listed here.
Notes
See also Old Croton Aqueduct Water supply network
References
External links NYC DEP Watershed Recreation