Beacon Reservoir (Dutchess County, New York) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Beacon Reservoir |
|
|---|---|
Beacon Reservoir from the fire tower on the south peak of Mount Beacon.
|
|
 Beacon Reservoir
Location in New York
Beacon Reservoir
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Town of Fishkill, Dutchess County, New York, US |
| Coordinates | 41°29′10″N 73°56′29″W / 41.48611°N 73.94139°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary outflows | Dry Brook |
| Catchment area | 0.25 sq mi (0.65 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 20 acres (8.1 ha) |
| Water volume | 125,000,000 US gal (470,000 m3) |
| Surface elevation | 1,285 feet (392 m) |
The Beacon Reservoir is an important reservoir (a man-made lake) that provides drinking water for the city of Beacon. This city is located in Dutchess County, New York, in the United States.
The reservoir sits high up, about 1,285 feet (392 meters) above sea level. You can find it in a valley between Beacon Mountain and Scofield Ridge. Even though it supplies water to Beacon, the reservoir itself is located in the nearby Town of Fishkill. It is also very close to the border of Putnam County.
What is Beacon Reservoir?
The Beacon Reservoir was created in 1922. Engineers built a dam across a stream called Dry Brook. This stream is a smaller part of the larger Fishkill Creek. By damming the brook, they created the reservoir to store water for the city.
How Big is the Reservoir?
The reservoir can hold a lot of water! It stores about 125 million US gallons (which is about 473,000 cubic meters) of water. This makes it a very important source of water for the people living in Beacon. It is also the highest lake in all of Dutchess County.
Visiting the Area
There is a dirt road that goes from the city of Beacon up past the reservoir to the tops of the mountains. Many people use this road to hike and enjoy the outdoors. However, it is important to remember that the reservoir is a source of drinking water. Because of this, certain activities are not allowed. You cannot go boating, fishing, or swimming in the reservoir. This helps keep the water clean and safe for everyone to drink.
