Here in Ulster County, water bodies are abundant. We have over 36 bodies that are considered significant enough to be referred to as a lake or pond. Of those 36 lakes or ponds, 20 of them are used as reservoirs. Of the different types of reservoirs, the type that exist in Ulster County are “dam across a valley” reservoirs. This type of reservoir relies mostly on naturally formed features to effectively hold the water. The result is a beautiful body of water that not only supplies humans with drinking water but also contributes greatly to wild life habitat. The two largest and most popular reservoirs in the Ulster County area are the Ashokan Reservoir and the Rondout Reservoir that are owned by New York city and provide some of the water used to supply the city. Thanks to both the Rondout and Ashokan reservoirs, Bald Eagles have made a spectacular comeback from near extinction.

(more…)