174 



The Water Supply of Albany. 



In order to fully comprehend this proposition so strenu- 

 ously advocated by prominent members of that board, a 

 brief description of the present works is rendered necessary. 



In 1850 the Hon. Wm. J. McAlpine made a survey and 

 report for furnishing the city of Albany with an abundant 

 supply of pure and wholesome water. 



No closer survey or more accurate report was ever made, 

 or has since been made, for a water supply than was pre- 

 sented in that report. The works as constructed em- 

 braced a portion only of the water supply suggested in 

 said report; and also of Sand creek, with their tributaries. 

 A storing reservoir known as Rensselaer lake was con- 

 structed in part, but was not completed as originally con- 

 templated by Mr. McAlpine. 



Another storing and distributing reservoir was con- 

 structed in the vicinity of Tivoli falls, on Patroon's creek. 

 These, together with the distributing Bleecker reservoir, 

 were at the time adopted by the Board of Water Commis- 

 sioners. 



A very accurate topographical map was presented with 

 Mr. McAlpine's report, showing the water shed of the 

 Hunger kill, Norman's kill,Lishas kill, Kaikout and other 

 streams of water at various elevations of from 240 to 250 

 feet above tide water, which were and still are available 

 under favorable circumstances in connection with our pre- 

 sent supply. 



Mr. S. H. Sweet has recently made a careful survey of 

 the territory and presented an elaborate report to the Com- 

 missioners, showing an available supply as follows : From 

 spring streams as above by, gravitation 4,551,889 gallons ; 

 by pumping and gravitation 8,674,000. 



By adding the Norman's kill to the pumping and gravity 

 plan [see Commissioners' report to the Common Council], 

 13,899,000 gallons of water can be procured at a cost of 

 $1,5^5,98600. These estimates the Commissioners say 



