Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2010/04/03
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Who needs Yosemite or Niagara Falls? If you long for the sight of falling water there may be opportunities in your back yard. Croton Dam is just a couple of miles away from my house. It was constructed over 100 years ago to impound the Croton River and provide a water supply for New York City. Outside of the Pyramids and the Great Wall of China it is the largest cut stone structure in the world. Certainly the largest one in current use. Unlike many other large dams, this one is very approachable. In fact it is quite people friendly. There is a large park at the base that is a favorite picnic venue, fishing hole, or just a good place for hanging out. The recent rainstorms that flooded the US Northeast filled the reservoir to way above flood stage and the excess water pours over the spillway. Here is what the flow looked like yesterday. http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Larry+Z/Croton+Dam+waterfall.jpg.html The volume of water can be better appreciated in this closer view. http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Larry+Z/Dam+overflow+1.JPG.html The weather was so nice that the local Hassidic community made a picnic outing to the dam plaza. It was strange to see so many men in black formal neo-14th century garb and very conservatively dressed women and children in this outdoor setting. Brooklyn OK, but a rare sight in upstate NY. http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Larry+Z/Water+watcher.JPG.html http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Larry+Z/Hassadic+Picnic.JPG.html But children are children and the dam makes an irresistible climbing wall. http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Larry+Z/Climbers.JPG.html Larry Z