Central Park Reservoir Freezes Over in Rare Arctic Blast
New York City’s Central Park Reservoir, also known as the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, has frozen over after a prolonged period of sub-freezing temperatures, a phenomenon not seen in the city for decades. Thousands of New Yorkers are visiting the park to witness the rare spectacle, with local media encouraging people to view the ice before warmer weather returns.
A Rare Occurrence
The reservoir, covering 106 acres (43 ha) in Manhattan’s Central Park, experienced a full freeze in January 2025 due to an extended arctic air mass. This is an unusual event, as the reservoir rarely freezes completely. Footage from January 2025 shows the extent of the ice cover.
Reservoir History and Details
Completed in 1862 as the Central Park Reservoir, it was initially known as the Upper Reservoir, supplementing the earlier Yorkville Reservoir (now the site of the Great Lawn and Turtle Pond). The Yorkville Reservoir was decommissioned in 1903 and demolished in the 1930s. The Central Park Reservoir was decommissioned in 1993 and subsequently renamed in 1994 to honor Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who frequently jogged in the area and contributed to the city’s preservation efforts. More information about the reservoir’s history can be found on Wikipedia.
The reservoir holds over 1 billion US gallons (3.8 million m3) of water and has a surface area of 106 acres. It sits at a surface elevation of 121 ft (37 m).
Water Quality
The Reservoir is characterized as mesoeutrophic, meaning it is moderately to highly productive. Water tests indicate moderate water clarity, high algae levels, and high nutrient (phosphorus) levels. The water is highly alkaline and of intermediate hardness. Details on the water quality are available in a 2014 report from the Government of New York.
Current Conditions and Outlook
While temperatures have recently risen, the ice layer appears to be holding for now. Visitors are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to witness the frozen reservoir before it thaws. Current New York water conditions can be monitored through the USGS Water Data for the Nation website.