The History of Jamesville Reservoir

The History of Jamesville Reservoir

   Jamesville Reservoir, located in Onondaga County, New York, south of the village of Jamesville, was constructed in the 1870s as a vital water supply for the Erie Canal. The project began when the Erie Canal Commission requested state funds in 1870 to build a dam on Butternut Creek. Construction was approved in 1872, and the dam was completed by 1874 at a cost of $130,000, surpassing the initial estimate of $100,000. This impoundment created a 250-acre reservoir with an average depth of 64 feet, capable of supplying approximately 2,000 cubic feet of water per minute to the canal for up to 60 days during dry seasons via a feeder near Orville. It was one of four such reservoirs designed to support the canal’s operations.

   In the early 20th century, the reservoir served practical purposes beyond canal supply, including ice harvesting during winter months. By the 1940s, it had transitioned into a popular recreational area, particularly for swimming near the dam and southern shores. This led Onondaga County to develop Jamesville Beach Park, which officially opened to the public on July 2, 1949, with initial temporary facilities that saw heavy use. By 1950, permanent improvements included a stabilized beach (half its current size), a bathhouse, concession stand, and restrooms, using lumber from Highland Forest County Park. The reservoir was also stocked with largemouth bass from Carpenter’s Brook Fish Hatchery, attracting both swimmers and anglers.

   The 1960s brought further expansion, with 80 acres acquired in 1962 under the Land Acquisition Act, followed by a new entrance, ticket booth, and parking lots in 1967. The inaugural Jamesville Balloon Festival in 1980 spurred additional facility enhancements for large events. In 1996, another 128 acres were added through an Environmental Protection Fund Grant, and major renovations in 2000 included a visitor center, expanded beach, walkways, decks, updated shelters and restrooms, and a playground, supported by the Friends of Jamesville Beach Park. Boat rentals and an 18-hole disc golf course were introduced in 2002.

   Today, Jamesville Reservoir remains a key recreational hub, managed by Onondaga County, offering activities like fishing for species such as bluegill, largemouth bass, yellow perch, walleye, and tiger musky, with biennial walleye stocking by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation. The Jamesville Reservoir Preservation Association (JRPA) monitors water quality through programs like CSLAP, addressing issues such as harmful algal blooms linked to nutrient runoff. Annual events include the Ring of Fire celebration on July 4th, where residents light flares around the lake, highlighting its community significance. From its origins as a canal feeder to its current role in recreation and conservation, the reservoir reflects the evolving landscape of Central New York.