Kensico Environmental Enhancement Program

Bull riveter in operation, January 24, 1913.

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	What is the Kensico Reservoir? If you’re one of the nine million residents of New York City or dozens of communities in Westchester, Putnam, Orange or Ulster Counties, the Kensico Reservoir is a vital part of your drinking water supply system. Located in Westchester County, the Kensico Reservoir is the final stop for 90% of New York City’s drinking water supply before it enters the water tunnels that carry it to consumers’ taps. Normally, all of the water from the City’s Catskill and Delaware watersheds—located in parts of Ulster, Delaware, Greene, Schoharie and Sullivan Counties west of the Hudson River—flows into the Kensico Reservoir. Protecting the high quality of the Kensico Reservoir along with the rest of the New York City water supply system, which includes 19 reservoirs, three controlled lakes and hundreds of miles of aqueducts, is the responsibility of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Because 27 Westchester communities draw their water supplies from the Kensico Reservoir—directly or indirectly—protecting the quality of Kensico is also important for the residents and businesses of these towns, villages and hamlets.


	What is KEEP? KEEP is the Kensico Environmental Enhancement Program, a commitee formed to protect the Kensico Reservoir. Its mission is to educate the communities in the Kensico watershed about the importance of protecting water quality. By educating the people who live and work in the 13-square-mile watershed about how their daily activities affect water quality, KEEP works to protect the watershed and reservoir from pollution.


	Who is KEEP? Funded by New York City, KEEP is a joint effort of DEP, county and local governmental organizations, and residents from the towns surrounding the Reservoir to enhance the Kensico’s water quality and protect the watershed from pollution. The group has an Executive Board composed of community leaders and designated representatives of local governments in the Kensico watershed. KEEP develops public outreach and educational programs on watershed protection in the five towns in the watershed: New Castle, North Castle, Mount Pleasant, Harrison; and Greenwich, Connecticut.


	What does KEEP do? Examples of KEEP activities include: develop and publish materials informing the public about ways to prevent watershed pollution; designed and installed kiosks on the history and function of the Kensico Reservoir in the Kensico Dam Plaza; supports a community-based volunteer stream monitoring project; with DEP, co-sponsors an annual Art & Poetry Contest for watershed middle school students to encourage classroom discussion of water conservation and water quality protection isssues; leads nature walks and organizes other activities in the watershed to highlight the importance of the Kensico as a natural resource; offers presentations about issues related to Kensico Watershed protection at regular meetings.


	How can I get involved in KEEP? If you’re interested in attending KEEP meetings, participating in events, have ideas for new activities or would like to be added to KEEP’s mailing list, please contact us at: KEEP New York City DEP Suite 350 465 Columbus Avenue Valhalla, NY 10595-1336 914-742-2086, fax: 914-773-4530


	Additional Information History of Kensico Dam

Current: 91.7%
Normal: 70.4%