old croton aqueduct weir tour

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History, Natural History & the Arts

Old Croton Aqueduct Weir Tours in Ossining

August 13, 2023 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The weirs along the Old Croton Aqueduct were structures that were built right over or next to the aqueduct, enabling direct access to the aqueduct tunnel which allowed for maintenance and repair by diverting the waters.

On Saturday, August 20, 2023 and Saturday, September 16, 2023 at 10 am participants will meet at the benches in front (on the south side) of the Joseph Caputo Center at 95 Broadway in Ossining, just west of Route 9 / Highland Avenue at the junction of Croton Avenue / Route 133 (Metro-North Ossining Train Station by taxi or a 15-minute uphill walk).

After a brief walk, the tour will descend into the weir and explore the original 1842 brick water tunnel to learn its history.

Pre-registration is reequireed for the August 20th tour here and thee September 16th tour here .

This tour will be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.

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Scenes From The Trail

Detailed hike reports, complete with images., old croton aqueduct – ossining weir chamber.

September 17, 2016 – Ossining, NY

I planned my 26 mile section hike of the  Old Croton Aqueduct  to coincide with a tour of the weir chamber in Ossining, NY. That is why my stopping point for the first leg and starting point for the second leg was the Ossining weir. The tour was given courtesy of  Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct . They conduct tours occasionally and I am glad that I attended this most informative tour. First off, they showed a short film about the history of the aqueduct. There were approximately 70 people in attendance so they broke us up into two groups. I made sure that I was in the first group that made its way to the weir. I had a hike to do following my visit to the weir and did not want to sit around waiting when I could be hiking.

Old Croton Aqueduct – Ossining Weir Chamber

The weirs along the Old Croton Aqueduct were structures that were built right over or next to the aqueduct, enabling direct access to the aqueduct tunnel. This allowed for maintenance and repair by diverting the waters to a nearby waterway.

Ossining Weir

The Ossining Weir is twenty feet long, ten feet wide, and thirty feet high, including the portion of the weir that is built underground for the waste-water conduit.

The Ossining weir was a later addition (1882) and a modernization of the system. Upon entering, inside to the left, is an effluent valve wheel. It was used in order to allow the water coming southward in the tunnel to be diverted into a 4 foot drain pipe which led to the Sing Sing Kill under the arched aqueduct bridge.

effluent valve wheel

The wheel opens and closes the release valve which is directly underneath.  It would keep water pressure from building up on the gate or from overburdening the tunnel with water.

release valve

The water is released through the above opening, which in turn flows through this 4 foot drain pipe under the arched aqueduct bridge.

And then flows into the Kill Brook via this stone splash block.

stone splash block

Walking down the stairs and turning right, now looking south into the tunnel. This part of the tunnel is built into the arch bridge which carries the water over the  Sing Sing Kill .

looking south

This steel gate is lowered to divert water away from the south side of the tunnel for routine maintenance and/or repairs.

Looking north through the tunnel, this catwalk was added for visitors to walk on during tours.

catwalk – looking north

Walking to the end of the catwalk, still looking north. Notice the waterline that is visible along the side of the tunnel. They incorporated the rock of the hillside as the roof.

looking north

A look up at the inside of the weir. You can see the ventilating hole on the brick lined ceiling. Also visible is the steel beam that supports the weight of the steel gate.

Ossining Weir – interior

I hope that you enjoyed the virtual tour of the inside of the Ossining weir chamber. Don’t forget to follow my blog to keep up to date on my ramblings throughout the Hudson Valley and beyond. Until next time folks, keep a steady flow.

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Free, easy, 2-hour tour. Meet at the benches in front (on the south side) of the Joseph Caputo Center, which is located at 95 Broadway, Ossining, NY 10562, just west of Rte. 9/Highland Ave. at the junction of Croton Ave. (Rte. 133) (from Metro-North Ossining Train Station by taxi or 15-minute uphill walk). (Parking lots nearby) After a brief walk, descend into the Weir in Ossining and explore the original 1842 brick water tunnel and learn its history.

Required: pre-registration (limited number).

Walk will be rescheduled if weather does not cooperate.

Joseph Caputo Community Center

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Old Croton Aqueduct Weir Tour

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June 26, 2022 @ 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

The Old Croton Aqueduct , New York City’s original water supply, runs from, Croton-on-Hudson into the Bronx and Manhattan, passing through Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown. For most of its length, the Aqueduct is a horseshoe-shaped brick tunnel 8.5 feet high by 7.5 feet wide, set on a stone foundation and protected with an earthen cover and stone facing at embankment walls. Don’t miss this rare chance to enter one of the historic water diversion chamber to view the tunnel itself!

This is a free, easy, 2-hour tour operated by Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct . Meet at the benches in front of the Joseph Caputo Center, which is located at 95 Broadway, Ossining, NY 10562, just west of Rte. 9/Highland Ave. at the junction of Croton Ave. (Rte. 133) (from Metro-North Ossining Train Station by taxi or 15-minute uphill walk). (Parking lots nearby) After a brief walk, descend into the Weir in Ossining and explore the original 1842 brick water tunnel and learn its history.

Required: pre-registration (limited number); bring masks, and social distancing. Walk will be rescheduled if weather does not cooperate.

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