Strange Discovery in Staten Island Reservoir
A notable drop in water levels at Staten Island’s Silver Lake Reservoir has uncovered some unexpected items, including a pistol and brass knuckles, causing quite a stir among locals.
Chris Sammon, an avid fisherman and Staten Island resident, stumbled upon the strange bundle while exploring the newly exposed areas of the reservoir. “You could tell someone had bundled something up and taped it to this rock with about a mile of tape,” he remarked, intrigued by the odd find. Initially, he wondered if it might be a bizarre burial for a pet or perhaps a weapon. “I was a bit anxious thinking it might be a rotten animal, but thankfully, it wasn’t,” he shared.
The items turned out to be more concerning than he anticipated. Sammon promptly handed them over to a nearby police officer, suspecting they could be important evidence from an unresolved case. Reflecting on the encounter, he said, “I probably should have left the brass knuckles behind.”
This unusual find was just one of many oddities that surfaced after the reservoir’s water levels dropped significantly, more than eight feet, last year due to a city water conservation initiative. As of mid-December, the reservoir held only 239.5 million gallons—nearly half of its 400 million-gallon capacity, marking a decrease of 8.5 feet from the previous year.
“This is definitely the lowest I can remember. It’s like every year it gets lower, and yet, I’m not sure that’s truly the case,” Sammon commented, noting an increasing number of visitors to the restricted reservoir since the city’s Department of Environmental Protection stopped replenishing its water supply. Last summer’s heatwave, along with a historic drought, led to the decision to conserve water.
While New York City managed to avoid drought conditions, twenty other counties faced significant shortages. As of late December, the state’s reservoir levels were only 74.5% full, a notable dip compared to historical averages.
An agency spokesperson stated that the top priority remains conserving water, emphasizing that there are no plans to restock Silver Lake anytime soon, as it serves mainly aesthetic purposes. Though the drinking water from the city’s upstate reservoirs is carefully managed, many Staten Islanders have been poking around the drained lake for interesting finds.
During his search in August for a vintage wine bottle, Sammon found more than he bargained for. Alongside the pistol and brass knuckles, others have reported discovering old telephones, a collection of misfired golf balls from a nearby course, and, regrettably, a fair bit of trash.
With pipes that are usually submerged now visible, an indication of the infrastructure, discussions surrounding the reservoir’s future remain ongoing. Although there are currently no plans to refill it, authorities assure that the water supply could be replenished if northern reservoirs accumulate sufficient rain or snow. For now, they urge caution, advising against wandering along the shores of Silver Lake.
