Shandaken Tunnel facts for kids
The Shandaken Tunnel is a very long underground channel built to carry water. It's like a giant pipeline that helps bring clean drinking water to New York City. This amazing tunnel is a key part of the New York City water supply system.
It was built a long time ago, between 1916 and 1924. The tunnel starts in a place called Gilboa, New York. Here, it collects water from the Schoharie Reservoir. This reservoir is located across three different counties: Schoharie, Delaware, and Greene.
The water then travels south through the tunnel. It flows all the way to Ulster County. Finally, the tunnel empties into a special pool in Allaben, New York, which is part of the Town of Shandaken. From there, the water joins the Esopus Creek.
How Long and Big is the Tunnel?
The Shandaken Tunnel is super long! It stretches for over 18 miles (about 29 kilometers). That's like traveling the distance of many towns! It carries water through both Greene County and Ulster County.
How Water Flows Through the Tunnel
The water inside the tunnel moves by itself, thanks to gravity. This means the tunnel is built on a slight slope, so the water naturally flows downhill. It slopes down about 4.4 feet for every mile it travels.
The tunnel is also quite large inside. It is about 11.5 feet high and 10.2 feet wide. That's big enough for a small house to fit through!
Special Features of the Tunnel
Along the tunnel's path, there are seven special openings called shafts. These shafts are important for a few reasons:
- They help to add air to the water, which keeps it fresh.
- They allow any unwanted gases or impurities in the water to escape.
These features help make sure the water that reaches New York City is clean and safe to drink.
