Westcott Reservoir
| Westcott Reservoir | |
|---|---|
  Westcott Reservoir  Westcott Reservoir | |
| Location | Onondaga County |
| Coordinates | 43°02′37″N 76°12′06″W / 43.04361°N 76.20167°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Part of | Seneca River Basin |
| Primary inflows | Skaneateles Lake |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Managing agency | City of Syracuse |
| Built | 1931 |
| Surface area | 14 acres (5.7 ha) |
| Max. depth | 36 feet (11 m) |
| Water volume | 110-million-US-gallon (420,000 m3) |
| Surface elevation | 623 feet (190 m) |
| References | AWWA[1], National Dam Safety Report, 1981[2] |
| Location | |
 | |
The Westcott Reservoir was an open 110-million-US-gallon (420,000 m3) reservoir serving Syracuse, New York built in 1931.[1][3] In the early 2000s, it was replaced by twin 32-million-US-gallon (120,000 m3) tanks.[4] The reservoir's location was originally outside the city limits but a shoestring annexation extended the city border to include it. A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant in 2005 was to replace the deteriorated Hypalon lining; as of October 2005 the reservoir stood empty.{[4][5]
Recreation
[edit]An open grassy hillside descends from the reservoir all around, with the north end facing onto West Genesee Street having the tallest and longest slope, popular for sledding in the winter. The reservoir is considered to be the best place for sledding in the entire Syracuse area, despite the "No Sledding" signs posted along the fence at the top of the hill. On January 10, 2009, a 12-year-old girl was sledding down the reservoir when she could not stop herself and slammed head first into a parked car. She sustained severe head injuries and died three days later. As a result, the city of Syracuse proposed that an orange fence be put up around the reservoir to further prohibit sledding, and to keep people safe.[6][7]
Hang-gliders, when the sport was new, used to test fly off the North side although there is no safe direction to go; at least one hang-glider has been seriously injured upon ensnaring in power lines over West Genesee St.[citation needed]
Semi-flat areas along the West side are used for softball and other sports. Local schools, such as Westhill High School, often hold practices on the premises for cross country.[8]
History
[edit]In the 1960s and before, a flat grassy terrace that rings the reservoir about 15 feet (4.6 m) below the top, became a popular hangout area. A fence was erected just outside the ring roadway to prevent access in 1973. However, that also prevents use of the terrace by joggers and as a staging area for the sledding in winter.[citation needed]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Stewart, E. P. (1931). "A New Distributing Reservoir in Syracuse". Journal (American Water Works Association). 23 (12): 2106–2112. ISSN 0003-150X. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
- ^ "National Dam Safety Report" (PDF). 1981. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
- ^ Bain, David (January 22, 2010). "Building Sustainable Infrastructure". Wastewater Digest. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
- ^ a b "Westcott Reservoir makeover makes progress". Post-Standard. September 24, 2008. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
- ^ "Westcott Reservoir project begins". Post-Standard. June 25, 2008. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
- ^ Kirst, Sean (January 14, 2009). "Of tragedy at Westcott, and sledding in Syracuse". syracuse.com. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
- ^ "12-year-old girl dies after sledding accident". WSTM. January 13, 2009. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
- ^ Billmyer, Steve (May 1, 2013). "Is the Mountain Goat the most grueling local race? SU iSchool student compares 33 CNY races". syracuse.com. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
External links
[edit]- http://www.city-data.com/picfilesv/picv2507.php has a picture from the South. The terrace ring is visible.
- https://web.archive.org/web/20051214143112/http://newtimes.rway.com/1998/best1998/sports.htm Rated "Best Place to Sled" by a local newspaper.