NYC H2O
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        • 2020 Fall and Year End Summary
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        • 2019 Spring Summary
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      • 2018 >
        • 2018 fall & year end summary
        • 2018 Spring Summary
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        • 2017 Fall & Year End Summary
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        • Fall 2016 Summary
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  • Ridgewood Reservoir
    • Ridgewood Reservoir for the 21st Century >
      • CONSTRUCTION
      • ABANDONMENT
      • OLD BROOKLYN WATERWORKS
      • NATURE
      • ENGAGEMENT
      • NYC H2O
    • Bus Stop
    • Community Vision >
      • Ridgewood Reservoir Historic Register
      • Ridgewood Reservoir meeting minutes 2017
      • RR DEC Wetlands Delineation
    • Ridgewood Reservoir Fauna >
      • RR Birds
      • RR Mammals
      • RR Reptiles
      • RR Insects
      • RR Arachnids
    • Ridgewood Reservoir Flora >
      • RR Flowering Plants (Forbs)
      • RR Grasses and Sedges
      • RR Ferns and Mosses
      • RR Trees and Shrubs
      • RR Vines
      • RR Fungi
  • Resources
    • Lesson Plans >
      • Aqueduct Challenge
      • 3d topo map high school
      • Gravity Tube activity
      • 3d topo map for elementary school
      • H2O Map
      • Old BK waterworks map
      • Tree guide
      • Children's books about H2O
      • H2O Student Contest
    • Early Maps of Manhattan & the Collect Pond
  • Donate
    • Become a Member
    • Shop NYC H2O
NATURE
The Reservoir provides crucial ecosystem services to the surrounding neighborhoods. It improves air quality by filtering out particulates and harmful chemicals, mitigates heatsink effects of concrete and asphalt in summer months, absorbs storm water and prevents it from flooding the neighborhoods below, and mitigates combined sewage overflows.​

​The Reservoir is also a perfect case study of ecological succession. With the introduction of new upstate reservoirs in the 1950s, Ridgewood Reservoir became obsolete and was decommissioned in the 1980s. A lush and dense forest has grown in its two outer basins while the middle basin has a freshwater pond used by waterfowl. The Reservoir is home to more than 160 species of birds, many of whom migrate on the Atlantic Flyway, including some that are threatened or endangered. As restoration work continues, and the public has more access to its open spaces, Ridgewood Reservoir will increasingly be recognized as one of New York City’s ecological and cultural treasures.


CONSTRUCTION
ABANDONMENT
OLD BROOKLYN
​WATERWORKS
ENGAGEMENT
NYC H2O
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  • EVENTS
    • Past Events >
      • 2021
      • 2020 >
        • 2020 Fall and Year End Summary
      • 2019 >
        • 2019 Spring Summary
        • 2019 Fall and Year End Summary
      • 2018 >
        • 2018 fall & year end summary
        • 2018 Spring Summary
        • Challenge Grant 2018
      • 2017 >
        • 2017 Fall & Year End Summary
        • 2017 Spring Summary
        • Challenge Grant 2017
      • 2016 >
        • Fall 2016 Summary
      • 2015
      • 2014
      • 2013
      • 2012
      • 2011
      • 2010
      • 2009
    • BEFORE & AFTER
  • NYC H2O Hub
    • SCHEDULE A VIRTUAL LESSON
  • About
    • OUR MISSION
    • WHO WE ARE
    • BOARD MEMBERS
    • Financial Statements
    • Press
    • Contact Us
  • Field Trips
    • Field Trip Guides
  • Ridgewood Reservoir
    • Ridgewood Reservoir for the 21st Century >
      • CONSTRUCTION
      • ABANDONMENT
      • OLD BROOKLYN WATERWORKS
      • NATURE
      • ENGAGEMENT
      • NYC H2O
    • Bus Stop
    • Community Vision >
      • Ridgewood Reservoir Historic Register
      • Ridgewood Reservoir meeting minutes 2017
      • RR DEC Wetlands Delineation
    • Ridgewood Reservoir Fauna >
      • RR Birds
      • RR Mammals
      • RR Reptiles
      • RR Insects
      • RR Arachnids
    • Ridgewood Reservoir Flora >
      • RR Flowering Plants (Forbs)
      • RR Grasses and Sedges
      • RR Ferns and Mosses
      • RR Trees and Shrubs
      • RR Vines
      • RR Fungi
  • Resources
    • Lesson Plans >
      • Aqueduct Challenge
      • 3d topo map high school
      • Gravity Tube activity
      • 3d topo map for elementary school
      • H2O Map
      • Old BK waterworks map
      • Tree guide
      • Children's books about H2O
      • H2O Student Contest
    • Early Maps of Manhattan & the Collect Pond
  • Donate
    • Become a Member
    • Shop NYC H2O