Georgetown Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Georgetown Reservoir |
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The Castle Gatehouse, modeled after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers insignia
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 Georgetown Reservoir
Location in the District of Columbia
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| Location | District of Columbia |
| Coordinates | 38°54′44.43″N 77°5′33.94″W / 38.9123417°N 77.0927611°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Water volume | 140,000,000 US gallons (530,000 m3) |
The Georgetown Reservoir is a very important reservoir in Washington, D.C.. Think of a reservoir as a large, artificial lake that stores water. This one is a key part of the system that brings clean drinking water to everyone in the city. It's located in a neighborhood called Palisades, not too far from the border with Maryland.
Building the Reservoir: A Look Back
The Georgetown Reservoir was built by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. This group is responsible for many important public works projects, like dams and waterways. The reservoir was part of a bigger plan called the Washington Aqueduct project, which aimed to bring fresh water to the capital city.
Construction started a long time ago, with some parts finished by 1858. However, they ran out of money, so work had to stop. Luckily, building began again in 1862 and was completed by 1864. More changes and improvements were made to the reservoir throughout the 1860s and 1870s to make sure it worked even better.
The Journey of Water: From Reservoir to Tap
The Georgetown Reservoir plays a big role in cleaning the city's water. Water first comes from another reservoir called the Dalecarlia Reservoir. It's then pumped to the Georgetown Reservoir for an important step called sedimentation. This is where tiny bits of dirt and other particles in the water settle to the bottom, making the water clearer.
After sedimentation, the water travels to the McMillan Reservoir for even more treatment. The Army Corps of Engineers manages these reservoirs and the nearby Dalecarlia water treatment plant. Once the water is fully treated and safe to drink, it's sent through a network of pipes called water mains all over the city. The D.C. Water and Sewer Authority takes care of these pipes and makes sure the water reaches every home.
The Castle Gatehouse: A Unique Structure
At one end of the Georgetown Reservoir, there's a special building that looks like a castle! This building is called the Georgetown Castle Gatehouse. It was built around 1901 by the Army. Its job is to control the flow of water into the Washington City Tunnel, which is a large tunnel that leads to the McMillan Reservoir. It's a cool example of how important infrastructure can also have interesting designs.
