10 Forgotten Reservoirs and Aqueducts for Urban Explorers to Discover
With the advancement of technology and infrastructure, many reservoirs and aqueducts built in the past have been forgotten. These structures were once used to supply water to cities, towns, and farmlands but now remain abandoned. Here are ten forgotten reservoirs and aqueducts that urban explorers can discover.
1. The Catskill Aqueduct – This 120-mile-long aqueduct was built in 1917 to bring drinking water from the Catskill Mountains to New York City. Today, parts of it have been abandoned and are accessible for exploration.
2. The Old Croton Aqueduct – Built-in 1842, this aqueduct brought fresh water to New York City until it was decommissioned in 1955. Today, sections of it are open for walking tours.
3. Hetch Hetchy Reservoir – Located within Yosemite National Park in California, this reservoir was created by damming the Tuolumne River in 1923. It supplies drinking water to San Francisco but is also a popular hiking destination.
4. Ashokan Reservoir – Another Catskill Mountain reservoir that supplies drinking water to New York City, this one has a scenic walkway on top of its dam that offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
5. Devil’s Gate Dam and Reservoir – Located in Pasadena, California, this dam was completed in 1920 and provided local residents with drinking water for over fifty years before being decommissioned.
6. Dillon Reservoir – Built-in Colorado’s Summit County during World War II as part of a hydroelectric project for Denver Water Department; today is used for boating activities during summer months
7. Lake Berryessa Glory Hole Spillway – Constructed using concrete funnel-shaped spillway located at Monticello Dam near Napa Valley; currently serves as an attraction spot due to its beautiful scenery
8 .Lake Del Valle – An artificial lake located east of San Francisco Bay Area; it was created by damming Arroyo Valle in 1968 to provide drinking water and recreation facilities for East Bay residents.
9. Lake Hodges – Located north of San Diego; it was constructed in 1918 as a reservoir to supply water to nearby citrus groves but is now used for recreational purposes
10. Lake Mead – This massive artificial lake, located on the Colorado River, straddles the border between Nevada and Arizona. It was created by Hoover Dam in the 1930s and remains the largest reservoir in the United States.
While these forgotten reservoirs and aqueducts are no longer serving their original purpose, they offer a glimpse into our past infrastructure and history. Urban explorers can discover some amazing sights while also learning about how we have managed our precious water resources over time. However, exploration should be done with caution as some of these structures may pose safety risks if not approached properly.