Don’t Give a Flock…

Written By Stephanie Scippio

Don’t give a flock of geese bread at the reservoir. That’s just plain nasty because that is our DRINKING WATER!

It’s wild out there, Pittsburgh.

A Flock of Geese

Our dreamy Highland Park Reservoir isn't just a scenic jog spot or duck meet-and-greet—it's part of a whole system of five reservoirs managed by the PWSA, holding over 455 million gallons of actual, literal, drinking water.

Did Ya Know?
Our dreamy Highland Park Reservoir isn't just a scenic jog spot or duck meet-and-greet—it's part of a whole system of five reservoirs managed by the PWSA, holding over 455 million gallons of actual, literal, drinking water. That’s right. The stuff in your coffee. Your tea. Your pasta water. Your life.

Oh—and shoutout to West View Water for flexing with 10 more reservoirs north and west of the city. You thirsty? Pittsburgh’s got backup.

BUT HERE'S THE THING…
Walking your dog around the rim?
Feeding the geese like it’s a feathered Golden Corral?
It’s a hard no.

Not because we hate fun, geese, or good bois.
We love them. Deeply. Emotionally. Spiritually.
But let’s be real—no one wants their drinking water seasoned with soggy breadcrumbs, goose turds, or dog poop and pee. Not even the geese or the dogs.

Remember that winter when a deer cannonballed into the reservoir like it was auditioning for "Swan Lake"? 🦌 Iconic. But again… not ideal for water quality.

So let’s all agree to:
Save the bread for stuffing that other bird.
Let the geese do their flyby thing in peace.

Let dogs strut elsewhere—off the rim.

Walking Dogs Around Reservoir Rim Is a No-No

There are miles of trails and roads that go around the reservoir.

The signs about this are up there… somewhere. Maybe. But just in case you missed them (and who hasn’t?), now you know.

So What’s the Big Deal Anyway?

Feeding the geese and dog-walking around drinking water reservoirs can lead to:

  • Health Concerns: More birds = more bird germs. Diseases spread fast.

  • Waste Overload: It’s not just poop—it’s runoff. That flows into the water. Ew.

  • Ecological Chaos: Overfeeding = overpopulation = ecosystem imbalance.

  • Safety Hazards: Goose aggression and slip-n-slide sidewalks are not a vibe.

  • Aesthetic Sabotage: Nothing ruins a sunrise selfie like dodging droppings.

So, hey—next time you visit Highland Park or any of Pittsburgh’s lovely reservoirs, think before you thwim.
There’s more than one way to stuff a bird… just don’t do it next to the city's drinking supply.

Stephanie Scippio
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As the Eagle’s Nest Turns?