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NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



right to the use of the water of the feeder. If, therefore, the 

 effect of the drainage authorized by the laws of 1893 has been to 

 decrease the low-water flow of Oak Orchard creek, it is main- 

 tained that the mill owners are entitled to enough water from the 

 canal to make good the deficiency. 



There are a number of other points on the Erie canal where 

 waterpowers have been fostered under the provisions of the laws 

 of 1825, but lack of space precludes discussion of that phase of 

 the subject. 1 



HISTORY OF NEW YORK WATER SUPPLY 



The first waterworks of the City of New York were constructed 

 in 1774, when the population of the city was 22,000. In order to 

 pay the expenses of the works the city issued paper money amount- 

 ing to £2500, calling it " waterworks money." Bonds were also 

 executed for lands and materials to the amount of £8850 more. 



A reservoir was constructed on the east line of Broadway 

 between what is now Pearl and White streets and a well sunk in 

 the vicinity of the pond called the Collect. The Revolutionary war 

 began in 1775, and the occupation of New York by British troops 

 caused the abandonment of the work. 



In 1799 the Manhattan Company was incorporated to supply 

 the city with pure and wholesome water. This company sank a 

 number of wells within the city limits. They constructed a well 

 25 feet in diameter and 30 feet deep in Centre street, between 

 Reade and Duane streets, pumping the water to a tank on 

 Chambers street, from which it was distributed through bored 

 logs. In 1823 the population was 150,000 and the daily pumpage 

 was 691,000 gallons. 



In 1830 the city constructed a well at Thirteenth street, near 

 Broadway, 16 feet in diameter and 112 feet deep, 97 feet being 

 through rock. At 100 feet below the surface two lateral galleries 

 were tunneled out from the main well, each 75 feet long. This 

 well furnished only 10,400 gallons per day of hard water. The 

 Manhattan Company also sank a well at Broadway and Bleecker 



l Waterpower on the Erie canal is treated at considerable length in a 

 Eteporl on the Water Supply of the Western Division of the Erie Canal. 

 An. Rep1 of State Engineer Cor 1896. 



