New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-09-10
photograph by The
WASHINGTON YESTERDAY
Fnaneh Is hshounon the third dpag.)
PLANS BIG RESERVOIR
MR.. O'BRIEN OPPOSES 1T.
Mayor Must Decide about $780,
900 Basin at Patterson.

Plans have been prepared for a reservoir
in the Croton watershed by the chief engineer
of the Aqueduct Commission, Walter H. Sears,
and are n3w in the hands of John H. OBrien,
Commissioner Of the Department of Water Supply,
Gas and Electricity, for his signature. MI o Brlen
does not look upon the proposed reservoir with
approval, and has sent letter to Mayor Nc
CleIlan requesting that the Corporation Counsel
be asked for his opinion regarding the matter
from legal point of view.
Commissioner O'Brien said that the plans had
been drawn without consulting his department.
They were simply sent to him for his signature.
he said though he would be held responsible
There is opposition to the new work through
ont the department over which Mr.. OBrien
rules 1t Is said to be unnecessary. The charge
was made by Mr. O'Brien that the Aqueduct
commissioners had failed to turn over to his de-
partment the completed new Croton dam ana
the Cross River DAM He declared that the
work was all completed.
At the Auueduct commissioners office 1t was
said that the work on the two dams was not
completed, and that they would be gladly turned
over when the work done. The Croton
Falls dam. the only one now building, was SAID
to be about half completed.
This new reservoir, If it Is built, will be SINH
lar to a great wishbone, with the apex resting
IN +he southern outskirts of Pawling, in Dutch
ess County sixty-four miles away, the base of
the prongs in the west at Towners on the east
at Haviland Hollow, and the ends near Dykman
Station on the west and Deforest Corners on the
east The proposed dam is just north OF De-
forest Corners, and, If constructed. will back the
waters of the east branch of the Croton over
6ftv-four square miles of irregular basin, and
inbound about 10000. 100000 gallons Of water
Tho village of Patterson, on the Dutchess Coun-
o,,f an6
1t is proposed TO cali tlle great poeii 'i'o ~
son Reservoir.
Tho nbabitants of Patterson were first aware
that the accumulated waters of the upper east
branch might cover their village when men be-
gan to sound them regarding prices of property.
The city now owns three hundred feet on eacn
side of the Croton River banks all the way from
brewster to Pawlfng. Half or the village Oh
Patterson is owned by the city now. AS a re-
suit of the cunning for property, values look
remarkable Jump Houses may be leased for
nominal sum, but when purchase is mentioned
the prices given are astounding.
The village, It is said, VIII be reoulit IL the
-e,ervo,r project goes through. and be called
West Patterson, and the Harlem road Tor over
eleven miles will have TO be rebuilt also In
tho offices of the Aqueduct Commission all this
u,orL and the building Of the dam are looked
,,non as rather small proposition. Mr.. Sears
hoe been looking for an additional reservoir site
for several years, and hit upon this section as
the most available and as giving the best re-
sults In report to the commission Mr.. Sears
said
The cost of this reservoir Patterson has
been estimated with care and, including the
reconstruction of twelve miles OF ralifohu,
amounts to s3 250,0 900 At certain seasons ana
after very heavy rains the whole bottom or TINS
hasin is flooded and becomes q temporary lahe-
T. ,r;ntar and spring this is It's normal condl-
- The construction Of this reservoir re-
ouires only a comparatively short low earthen
dsm IT could be built in two seasons and
coT1Id pe ready for years before the earnest
Sota ,ronosed for the Introduction or water from
the Catskils. Its completion woud give au-
ditional security and insurance 10 the Hidlh'e-
nance of the increasing demands for water sup
- tnconomens s,lrable with the cost OF It's con-
struction It's construction means the dl1erence
hatewen continued security ana a uissstrous
water famine and as an Indispensable precau-
t,nn arainst such shortage recommend the I'M
nediate construction of a reservoir at the Pat
terson Site ,
John ]. Ryan, one Of the aqueduct commls-
sioners. said yesterday that the reservoir was
necessary to prevent the great waste of water
d,,a 20 lack of reservoir capacity. Water would
~, ba brought from the Catskilis before a
decade he declared. and the new reservoir would
he a safeguard against famine.
THE Mayor will have to decide whether this
-, .ocarvoir shall go through. Manhattan and
The Bronx last year used an average OF 32o.-
900 600 Gallons OF water day. and the capacity
:. ... nresent Croton system Is said to be little
,,,ora than this With the new dam for the Pat
o,, reseryoir the city would be assured OF at
,east a supply amounting to 315,OOO,OOO gallons
a day.
WHERE TO TAKE LUNCH
. M drink the Highest Types OF American Wines.
e. GoOgt ST. H.