Acting DEP Commissioner Vincent Sapienza announced the plans on
the bnaks of the reservoir
SHOKAN – One of the biggest capital projects to hit the Catskills
in 50 years was announced by officials Thursday in Shokan. A total of
$750 million will be spent upgrading infrastructure in and around the
Ashokan Reservoir, starting in 2023.
The work will take 10 years to complete.
Project highlights include engineering improvements and maintenance to
the dams, dikes, headworks, intakes, spillway, and dividing weir.
Additionally, the J. Waldo Smith Monument will receive a facelift. This
stone tower was originally installed as a surveying point during construction
of the reservoir over 100 years ago.
Thursday’s announcement was held on the centennial anniversary of
service for the New York City water supply system, which provides 1.1
billion gallons per day to 8.5 million downstate metropolitan residents.
Top brass from the NYC Department of Environmental Protection gathered
near the scenic Frying Pan East Parking Lot, overlooking the reservoir,
to announce the news. They were joined by federal, state and county representatives.
“Work like this is vital to the largest municipal water system in
the United States,” said acting DEP Commissioner Vincent Sapienza.
