Bodies of Water in Central Park: The Five Official Ones

Central Park (843 acres) contains five named bodies of water—each with distinct character and history:

1. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir (JKO Reservoir)
   • Formerly: "The Lake" / "Central Park Reservoir"
   • Renamed: 1994 (honoring JKO's nearby runs); re-renamed 2020 to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir (officially)
   • Size: 106 acres, 1.58 mi loop — largest water body
   • Function: Backup water supply (decommissioned 1993); now ecological/recreational
   • Iconic: Running track, skyline views, bird sanctuary (herons, egrets, waterfowl)
2. The Lake (often confused with Reservoir)
   • Location: Mid-park (72nd–77th St)
   • Size: 18 acres
   • Features: Bow Bridge, rowboat rentals (Loeb Boathouse), Hernando de Soto statue
   • Romantic centerpiece of park design (Olmsted & Vaux)
3. Turtle Pond
   • Location: Near 79th St, west side (below Belvedere Castle)
   • Size: 2 acres
   • Origin: 1930s (filled from Croton system); restored 1990s
   • Wildlife: Red-eared sliders, snapping turtles, fish, birds
4. Harlem Meer
   • Location: Northeast corner (110th St / Fifth Ave)
   • Size: 11 acres
   • Name: Dutch "meer" = lake; honors Harlem's history
   • Features: Catch-and-release fishing, Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, skating (winter)
5. The Loch
   • Location: North Woods (102nd–106th St, west side)
   • Character: Stream-like — narrow, winding, rocky cascades
   • Design: Olmsted & Vaux "wild garden" aesthetic
   • Restored: 1990s (invasive removal, native planting)
6. Conservatory Water
   • Location: East 74th St (near Kerbs Boathouse)
   • Character: Formal rectangular pond — model boat sailing (rentals Apr–Oct)
   • Famous: Stuart Little races; Eloise setting
   • Surrounded by: Kerbs Boathouse (café), Alice in Wonderland statue, Hans Christian Andersen statue

➕ Bonus: The Pool (Not Counted)

• Lasker Rink/Pool (110th St) — seasonal: ice rink (winter), swimming pool (summer)
• Not a "naturalistic" water body per original design

All five are human-made — fed by NYC water supply (formerly Croton, now Catskill/Delaware), recirculated. Central Park's water system = 1858 engineering marvel.