The position of these effluent gate houses is marked on the plan by the letters E, F, G, H, there being two in each division. A foot bridge affords convenient access from the bank to the house.
Those houses on the east side denoted by E, F, are the ones from which pipes lead to the lower or Distributing Reservoir, and those on the west side denoted by G, H, are intended for supplying the western part of the city north of the Distributing Reservoir.
There is a vault within the eastern bank to accommodate the pipes which leave the house E, and passing along, connect with those from the house F, and thence the pipes continue along 80th street and the 5th Avenue to the Distributing Reservoir. A vault within the west bank accommodates the pipe which leads from the house H, and intersects the one from G, passing out at 81st street; thus in this street a pipe draws from the southern division at G, and a branch of it passing along within the vault draws from the northern division at H.
Provision has been made on the east side of the Reservoir for supplying that part of the city when it becomes necessary.
At present there are two pipes leading from this to the Distributing Reservoir, each 3 feet interior diameter, and they are arranged that both may draw from the southern division, or one from that, and one from the northern division. The pipes are placed at a level below the bottom of the division from which they draw: the bottom of the interior of those from the southern division being 2 feet below, and that of those from the northern 5 feet below.
The exterior walls of this Reservoir present a face of rough-hammered masonry, finished in a manner to give them neatness and durability.
As a specimen of mechanical work, this Reservoir will not bear a comparison with the lower, or Distributing Reservoir, yet the sheet of water it presents, renders it an object of perhaps greater interest. This beautiful lake of pure water resting upon the summit of the Island is truly a pleasing object, and considering its size, is what no other city can boast of having within its limits.
The Distributing Reservoir is situated on the west side of the 5th Avenue between 40th and 42nd streets; it is two miles from the Receiving Reservoir, and about three miles from the City-Hall.
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