Delaware Aqueduct

For the bridge, see Roebling's Delaware Aqueduct.

Building in Yonkers

The Delaware Aqueduct is the newest of the New York City aqueducts. It takes water from the Rondout Reservoir through the Chelsea Pump Station, the West Branch Reservoir, and the Kensico Reservoir, ending at the Hillview Reservoir in Yonkers, New York.

The aqueduct was constructed between 1939 and 1945, and carries approximately half of the New York City water supply of 1.3 billion US gallons (4,900,000 m³) per day. The Delaware Aqueduct leaks up to 36 million US gallons (140,000 m³) per day.^[1]

At 85 miles (137 km) long and 13.5 feet (4.1 m) wide, the Delaware Aqueduct is the world's longest continuous underground tunnel.^[2] The second longest is Päijänne Water Tunnel in Finland, which is 120 kilometres (75 mi) long.

Leaks

Since the late 1970s, the New York Department of Environmental Protection has been monitoring two leaks in the Delaware Aqueduct that collectively release between 10 and 36 million US gallons (38,000 and 140,000 m³) of water per day.^[3] These leaks have caused many problems with flooding and drinking water contamination, particularly for residents of Wawarsing, New York.^[4]

See also

• Catskill Aqueduct
• Delaware River Basin Commission

References

1. ^ "Bypass Planned for Leaky New York Aqueduct". New York Times. November 19, 2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/20/nyregion/20aqueduct.html?_r=1. Retrieved 2010-11-20. "The tunnel, to be built under the Hudson River and parts of Dutchess and Orange Counties, will address a problem that has daunted the city since leaks were first discovered in the Delaware Aqueduct in 1988: some 15 to 35 million US gallons (57,000 to 130,000 m³) of water, coming down from the Catskills, have been escaping daily through cracks." 
2. ^ Mitchell, Susan K. (2008). The Longest Tunnels. Milwaukee, WI: Garth Stevens Publishing. p. 26. ISBN 9780836883657. "The Delaware Aqueduct tunnel is the longest continuous rock tunnel in the world." 
3. ^ "Preparation Underway to Fix Leak in Delaware Aqueduct" (Press release). NYC Department of Environmental Protection. March 6, 2008. http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/press_releases/08-04pr.shtml. Retrieved February 20, 2010. 
4. ^ "Hinchey Urges New York City Dept. of Environmental Protection To Comprehensively Address The Impact Of Leaking Delaware Aqueduct On Wawarsing" (Press release). Congressman Maurice Hinchey. July 11, 2008. http://hinchey.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1059%3Ahinchey-urges-new-york-city-dept-of-environmental-protection-to-comprehensively-address-the-impact-of-leaking-delaware-aqueduct-on-wawarsing-urges-agency-to-cover-all-related-expenses-incurred-by-residents&catid=34%3A2008-press-releases&Itemid=1. Retrieved Oct 16, 2010. 

Further reading

• Ascher, Kate (2005). The Works: Anatomy of a City. Canada: Penguin Group. ISBN 1-59420-071-8. 

External Links

• "Giant Tube To Supply Water For Ten Millions" Popular Mechanics, August 1937 -- detailed article with drawings and maps on purposed Delaware Aqueduct