The massive reservoir in Central Park was never meant to be a simple lake
In short: Spanning 106 acres, the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir is a landmark of New York City. While today it serves as a serene sanctuary for joggers and birdwatchers, its origins were purely industrial, designed as a critical component of the city's 19th-century water distribution system to support a growing metropolis.
Proposed in the 1850s by Nicholas Dean, president of the Croton Aqueduct board, the reservoir was built to supplement an existing, smaller receiving reservoir located where Turtle Pond stands today. Construction began in April 1858, and the project was completed in 1862. Unlike the smaller receiving basin, this new structure was designed as an Upper Reservoir, featuring two sophisticated pumphouses constructed of Manhattan schist with granite facings, designed by Calvert Vaux.
The reservoir was engineered with a wall that bisected the water into two chambers. This clever design allowed engineers to drain one half for maintenance while the other continued to supply water to lower Manhattan. The north gatehouse pumped water in, while the south gatehouse pumped it out. Though these gatehouses were decommissioned in 1993, they remain in place today, still controlling the water level of the basin.
By 1993, the reservoir was deemed obsolete due to the construction of a new main connecting to the Third Water Tunnel and concerns regarding potential contamination. While many feared it would be filled in—much like the Lower Reservoir, which was demolished to create the Great Lawn—public advocacy successfully preserved the site. It was renamed in 1994 to honor Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who lived nearby and frequently jogged along the 1.58-mile track that circles the water.
Today, the reservoir functions as an ecological sanctuary, hosting over 20 species of waterbirds and serving as a popular destination for visitors. It continues to supply water to the nearby Pool and Harlem Meer. In 2025, the Department of Environmental Protection initiated a plan for the adaptive reuse of the historic gatehouses, ensuring that this industrial relic remains a vital part of the city's landscape.
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