6. Ashokan Reservoir

One of our favorite crazy infrastructure facts is how New York City’s water comes not only from the Catkills, but from reservoirs that were created by drowning numerous towns. One of those is the Ashokan Reservoir, which can store 123 billion gallons of water. It required the relocation of 2,000 people in eight towns and the submersion of four. At its longest, the Ashokan Reservoir measures 12 miles and at its widest, 1 mile, and it is the deepest reservoir for New York City at 190 feet max depth. If you drive along Route 28, which runs parallel to the north side of the Ashokan Reservoir, you will see signs that note the location of the former towns. Turn down Reservoir Road, and you’ll be able to drive across a bridge that traverses the reservoir.

Today, remnants of foundations, walls, and more of the former towns can still be seen, particularly when water levels are lower–often in the fall. You can see some of those archeological finds from bridges and you can also hike and bike along the Ashokan Reservoir Promenade, which runs along a ridge of the reservoir.