I've shot this bridge and angle a few more times than really necessary over the past few years. I always look for is a calm river condition for the reflection it gives. With that said, I never really took time to reflect on why this area outside Hollidaysburg is called 'Reservoir' when there is no reservoir here. Or was there?
About 3/8th of a railroad mile from the south (frame left) abutment is a small private grade crossing. If you're not paying attention (and to be fair, it's harder to notice when leaves are on the trees), you will easily miss a massive earthwork stretching across the valley with a notch cut in it where the river now flows. That is the remnant of the forgotten twin (in purpose and construction) to the South Fork Dam, the Eastern Dam Reservoir. A lake nearly two miles long once formed behind it to feed the Mainline of Public Works (Pennsylvania Canal) basin at Hollidaysburg. Two aqueducts were needed to bring the feeder channel over the Juniata River and into the basin.
Up to that private crossing, the Everett Railroad's grade rests on that feeder channel, and the two aqueducts' stonework lives on as the piers and abutments to the bridges at River Road and this location.
