New Valve Improves Stormwater Management as an Early Component of the Future Prospect Park Bluebelt, Boosts Water Conservation, and Protects New York Bay
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), NYC Parks and the Prospect Park Alliance (PPA) announced the completion of a $1.4 million valve upgrade for Prospect Park Lake that provides improved control over water levels in the lake. The new valve will manage the amount of potable water that helps feed the lake to support a healthy ecosystem. It allows PPA greater operational control of the lake system during heavy rainstorms and will free up capacity of local sewers during storms, resulting in a reduction of overflows to Gravesend Bay and the Upper Bay by up to 12 million gallons a year. As one of the first infrastructure upgrades supporting the future Prospect Park Bluebelt and lakeshore restoration, the project lays critical groundwork for long‑term stormwater management and ecological improvements.
“Smart, targeted upgrades like this deliver real benefits for water conservation and climate resilience,” said DEP Commissioner Lisa F. Garcia. “By giving Prospect Park the ability to control lake inflows, we’re reducing potable water use, cutting sewer overflows, and strengthening the park’s ability to prepare for heavy rain.”
“This project is a great example of all the ways our public parks make New York City more livable, not just as beautiful places to connect with nature but also as natural infrastructure that improves quality of life for humans and wildlife alike,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. “This underwater upgrade will pay off rain or shine, preventing sewer overflows during extreme weather and improving the health of the lake's ecosystem during sunny summer days. This is an exciting step in our work to bring a comprehensive Bluebelt system to Prospect Park, and we look forward to working with our partners to build our sustainable future here in Brooklyn's Backyard.”
In the summer months, when evaporation increases, the lake requires potable water to maintain stable levels that support circulation and oxygenation, provide adequate depth for fish and aquatic plants, and help limit unsightly and odorous algal blooms — all essential to sustaining the lake’s ecological health and appearance.
The project replaced an aging 8‑inch service line valve that supplies potable water to the lake and feeds the waterfall within Prospect Park’s watercourse. With the new valve fully functional, the park is expected to use only 200,000 gallons per day — conserving approximately 800,000 gallons per day.
Prospect Park Lake drains into the combined sewer system at the southeast corner of the park. PPA staff can now temporarily halt inflows as needed — especially ahead of heavy rain events — allowing for more precise management of lake levels and reducing unnecessary water from entering and overwhelming the area’s combined sewer system. This operational flexibility also eases pressure on the Owls Head Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility, which treats wastewater and stormwater from nearly 13,000 acres of western Brooklyn.
DEP provided funding and project oversight, while NYC Parks procured and managed construction, supervision, and design services. PPA will support NYC Parks with ongoing operation and maintenance.
This valve upgrade is an early component of the broader Prospect Park Bluebelt initiative, for which DEP has allocated up to $50 million. Planned improvements include new rain gardens and ponds that will slow and filter stormwater while also capturing and redirecting floodwaters. The investment complements Prospect Park Alliance’s $20 million lakeshore restoration plan, which will reconstruct the shoreline of Brooklyn’s only lake to improve environmental resiliency and enhance the visitor experience.
Together, these efforts will create a coordinated approach to managing stormwater, strengthening ecological health, and protecting the park, the Prospect Park Zoo, and surrounding neighborhoods from extreme weather driven by climate change.
About the NYC Department of Environmental Protection
DEP manages New York City’s water supply, providing approximately 1 billion gallons of high-quality drinking water each day to nearly 10 million residents, including 8.5 million in New York City. The water is delivered from a watershed that extends more than 125 miles from the city, comprising 19 reservoirs and three controlled lakes. Approximately 7,000 miles of water mains, tunnels and aqueducts bring water to homes and businesses throughout the five boroughs, and 7,500 miles of sewer lines and 96 pump stations take wastewater to 14 in-city treatment plants. DEP also protects the health and safety of New Yorkers by enforcing the Air and Noise Codes and asbestos rules. For more information, visit nyc.gov/dep, like us on Facebook, or follow us on X and Instagram.
About NYC Parks
NYC Parks is the steward of more than 30,000 acres of land — 14 percent of New York City — including more than 5,000 individual properties ranging from Coney Island Beach and Central Park to community gardens and Greenstreets. We operate more than 800 athletic fields and nearly 1,000 playgrounds, 1,800 basketball courts, 550 tennis courts, 66 public pools, 52 recreational facilities, 15 nature centers, 14 golf courses, and 14 miles of beaches. We care for 1,200 monuments and 23 historic house museums. We look after 666,000 street trees, and five million more in parks. We are New York City's principal providers of recreational and athletic facilities and programs. We are home to free concerts, world-class sports events, and cultural festivals.
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