The Croton Aqueduct
The Croton Aqueduct was completed in 1842, and was one of the first successful large-scale engineering projects in the United States. The Croton aqueduct brought water to Manhattan from the Croton River Dam, forty miles away. It involved the building of a dam, 6 tunnels, 114 culverts, bridges over several valleys, and a major bridge over the Harlem river. The advantage of the New York system is that the water has such a good head that no further power is needed for distribution.
The first view below shows the culvert built over Mill River; it is less than a mile from the Old Dutch Church near Tarrytown, familiar to readers of the "Legend of Sleepy Hollow." It carries 35 million gallons a day through its conduit.
Two other views show the aqueduct crossing the Harlem River (middle) and in the Clendinning Valley (bottom).