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American and Canadian Water Landmark facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

An American Water Landmark is a special place in the United States, Canada, or Mexico. These landmarks are important because they are connected to water history. They show how people have managed and used water over time. The American Water Works Association has been choosing these landmarks since 1969. They help us remember the history of our water systems.

Cool Water Landmarks You Should Know

Many different types of places can be an American Water Landmark. These include dams, water towers, pumping stations, and treatment plants. Each one tells a story about how communities got their water.

Famous Dams and Reservoirs

Dams are huge walls built across rivers. They hold back water to create reservoirs. These reservoirs store water for drinking, farming, and making electricity.

Hoover Dam

Hoover Dam from the Arizona side
The massive Hoover Dam, a true engineering marvel.

The Hoover Dam is a very famous landmark. It was built in 1936. This giant dam is near Boulder City, Nevada. It helps control the Colorado River. It also provides water and power to many people. It's a huge example of how we use water.

Ashokan Reservoir

Ashokan Reservoir from Monument Road
The beautiful Ashokan Reservoir, a key water source for New York City.

The Ashokan Reservoir is in Ulster County, New York. It was built in 1915. This large reservoir supplies much of the drinking water for New York City. It shows how big cities get their water from far away.

Interesting Water Towers

Water towers are tall structures. They store water high above the ground. This height creates pressure. This pressure helps water flow through pipes to homes and businesses.

Chicago Water Tower

The Chicago Water Tower
The historic Chicago Water Tower, one of the few buildings to survive the Great Chicago Fire.

The Chicago Water Tower is in Chicago, Illinois. It was built in 1869. This tower is famous for surviving the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. It's a symbol of the city's strength. It also reminds us of early water systems.

Brooks Catsup Bottle Water Tower

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The unique Brooks Catsup Bottle Water Tower in Illinois.

The Brooks Catsup Bottle Water Tower is in Collinsville, Illinois. It was built in 1949. This water tower looks exactly like a giant catsup bottle! It's a fun and unique landmark. It shows that even everyday structures can be special.

Ypsilanti Water Tower

YpsilantiWaterTower
The Ypsilanti Water Tower, known for its unique shape.

The Ypsilanti Water Tower is in Ypsilanti, Michigan. It was built in 1890. This tower has a very distinct shape. It's sometimes called the "Brick Dick" because of its unusual design. It's a well-known local landmark.

Important Pumping Stations and Treatment Plants

Pumping stations move water from one place to another. Treatment plants clean water. They make it safe to drink. These places are vital for public health.

R. C. Harris Water Treatment Plant

The R. C. Harris Water Treatment Plant is in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was built in 1941. This plant is known for its beautiful architecture. It's often called the "Palace of Purification." It shows that important public buildings can also be works of art.

Fairmount Water Works

Fairmount Water Works
The historic Fairmount Water Works in Philadelphia.

The Fairmount Water Works is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It started operating in 1815. This was one of the first large-scale urban water systems in the United States. It used water power to pump clean water to the city. It's a great example of early engineering.

Crystal Spring Steam Pumping Station

Crystal Spring Steam Pumping Station
The historic Crystal Spring Steam Pumping Station.

The Crystal Spring Steam Pumping Station is in Roanoke, Virginia. It was built in 1905. This station used steam power to pump water. It shows how technology changed over time. It helped bring water to the growing city.

Other Unique Water Landmarks

Some landmarks are special for other reasons. They might be old wells, canals, or bridges that carried water.

The Big Well

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The Big Well, a hand-dug well in Kansas.

The Big Well is in Greensburg, Kansas. It was finished in 1888. This well is huge! It was dug by hand. It provided water for the town for many years. It's a reminder of how much effort went into getting water in the past.

Indiana Central Canal

Indiana Central Canal IHS
The Indiana Central Canal, an important historical waterway.

The Indiana Central Canal is in Indianapolis, Indiana. It was built in the 1830s. Canals are artificial waterways. This canal was meant to help with transportation and water supply. It's a piece of history that shows how cities developed.

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