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The Building of Kensico Dam
The Kensico Dam, built by New York City's Board of Water Supply, is part of a chain of reservoirs reaching into upstate New York State. Kensico Reservoir is the southernmost storage reservoir in the chain--from here, water is routed through underground aqueducts to the City (about 1 billion gallons a day flow through these aqueducts!). The building of the dam was an important factor in Valhalla's history.
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The first Kensico Dam was built in 1886. It was an earth dam, with a stone spillway, and was located in front of the current dam. |
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When work was started on the present Kensico Dam, the original earth dam and spillway was demolished. |
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The contract for the construction of the present Kensico Dam--$8,006,300--was awarded in 1909. This picture, taken in 1914 from the North Castle side, shows groundwork and cable towers prior to the stonework being started. The present Plaza is on the left of the picture. |
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Another view of the present dam inder construction. Part of the original earth dam is visible to the left of the picture, and if you've always wondered just what is under the Plaza, this picture shows it! 
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The dam's stonework is much more complete in this picture, taken from the Valhalla side. Much of the stone was taken from Quarry Heights, across Rt. 22 from the dam site. The dam was completed 4 years ahead of schedule, in 1916.
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This view of the Kensico Plaza during construction of the Dam shows the work camp which housed dam workers and their families in the upper left corner of the picture.
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