Putnam County

County of southeastern New York State, USA, in the Hudson Highlands and Taconic Mountains, bounded to the west by the Hudson River and to the east by Connecticut; area 598 sq km/231 sq mi; population (1990) 83,900. Its seat is Carmel; the county has no large towns or cities. Its lake-filled southern portion, around Carmel and such places as Brewster and Putnam Valley, is a residential suburb of New York and a recreational area. It also contains the northern part of the Croton Reservoir system, which supplies much of New York City's drinking water. Agriculture in the county declined in importance in the late 20th century.