Tomhannock Reservoir


The water source for the city of Troy, New York is the Tomhannock Reservoir, a man-made reservoir northeast of Troy in the town of Pittstown. The reservoir is long, and holds when full. Water quality is good to excellent. Licensed fishing is a popular recreational activity.

History

Construction of the reservoir began in 1900 as a successor to the Oakwood, Brunswick and Lansingburgh Reservoirs, and it was placed into service in 1906. After eight years of repairs to the original main, a supplemental main was installed to stabilize the city's water supply. Facilities for chlorination, metering and the addition of lime to the water were added in 1952. In 1960, a study determined that the Tomhannock Reservoir could serve the city of Troy and the region immediately adjacent to the city in southern Rensselaer County. During the early 1960s a treatment plant was constructed, which provided filtration and additional supplementation with alum, carbon, potassium permanganate and fluoride.