#spheroids

Working list: Tallest spherical water towers* in the USA – UPDATED

Source: rebresearch.com

These are often referred to as a “spheroid,” a “pedesphere” or a “water sphere.” There are slight variations in the engineering design, but for purposes of this post, a spherical water tower is one with a round (or nearly round) tank either set upon top of a single pedestal or on leg(s).

*References to elliptical water towers were removed from this post on 2/26/25. A separate post will be created for them.

Pensacola Beach, FL – Source: en.wikipedia.org Zebulon, NC – Source: buddroadtrips.blogspot.com Akron, OH – Source: si.com

Due to their largely round appearance, spherical water towers are often painted or decorated in a manner that draws attention to them. The most common example is the smiley face, with 18 known examples. Others include beach balls (4), peaches (2), baseballs (5), an eight ball (1), a fishing bobber (1), an egg (1), and golf balls atop of tees (3).

Ocean City, MD – Source: wmdt.com

Below are those for which data has been found to date. When more data is found on other water towers, it will be added. As always, any additions, corrections, or suggestions are most welcome. Peace!

Braman, OK – Source: worldstallestwatersphere.com Union, NJ – Source: worldstallestwatersphere.com

Those shown in italics have been seen by the author.

________

  1. Richfield Water Tower (post 2019): Richfield, OH = 233 feet – added 2/18/25

2. U of A Water Tower (2022): Tuscaloosa, AL = 230 feet – added 2/18/25

3. Braman Water Spheroid (2010), OK = 220.6 feet

4. Harnett County Water Tower: Erwin, NC = 219.75 feet

5. Water Spheroid (1986): Edmond, OK = 218 feet

6. Union Watersphere (1964): Union, NJ = 212 feet

7-9. Albert Lea Water Tower (2023): Albert Lea, MN; Kannapolis Water Tower (2024): Kannapolis, NC; and Nebraska Crossing Water Tower: Gretna, NE = 200 feet – Gretna added 2/18/25

10. Vandals Heights Water Tower (1989): Vandals Heights, MN = 192.5 feet

11. Williston Park Water Tower: Williston Park, NY = 180 feet – added 2/19/25

12. Beach Ball Water Tower (1970s): Pensacola Beach, FL = 176 feet

13-14. Pigeon Forge “Ripken” Baseball Water Tower (2015): Pigeon Forge, TN and Kent Heights Water Tower: East Providence, RI = 175 feet – Kent Heights added 2/18/25

15-16. New Town Water Tower (2023): New Town, ND and Damascus Water Tower, MD = 170 feet – both added 2/18/25

17. Destin Water Tower #6 (2020): Destin, FL = 169 feet

18-19. Bryan “Dum-Dum” Water Tower (1946): Bryan, OH and North Myrtle Beach Water Tower: North Myrtle Beach, SC = 165 feet – North Myrtle Beach added 2/18/25

20-21. Tribute Water Tower (2015): The Colony, TX and Cabela’s Water Tower (2002): Wheeling, WV = 164 feet – Cabela’s added 2/18/25

22-24. Eight Ball Water Tower (1968): Tipton, MO; Kill Devil Hills Water Tower (2020): Kill Devil Hills, NC; and VA Medical Center Water Tower: Marion, IL = 160 feet – Kill Devil Hills added 2/18/25 and Marion added 3/31/25

25. Menlo Park Water Tower: Sioux Falls, SD = 159 feet – added 2/18/25

26. Warrenville Water Tower (2025): Warrenville, IL = 157 feet

27-28. Fort Leonard Wood Water Tower: Fort Leonard Wood, MO and Eastside Water Tower (2010): Fayetteville, AR = 156 feet – Eastside added 2/18/25

29. Village Water Tower (2024): Fairport Harbor, OH = 155 feet

30. Blooming Prairie Water Tower (2024): Blooming Prairie, MN = 154 feet

31-38. Golf Ball Water Tank: Rock Springs, WY; Smiley Face Water Tower: Adair, IA; Angola West Water Tower (2013): Angola, IN; Lisbon Water Tower (2024): Lisbon, OH; Creativity Water Tower (2013): Mt. Vernon, IL; Gages Water Tower (2025): Grayslake, IL = 150 feet; and Golf Ball Water Tower: Silvis, IL and Boomers Water Tower (1978): Schaumburg, IL ~ 150 feet – Angola, Lisbon, and Mt. Vernon added 2/18/25 and Silvis added 4/1/25

39-40. Abbotsford Water Tower (1997): Abbotsford, WI – added 2/16/25 and Bobcat Water Tower (2003): Blue Hill, NE = 146 feet – added 2/29/25

41-42. Beach Ball Water Tower: Lake Worth Beach, FL and Litchfield Water Tower (1995): Litchfield, MN = 145 feet – Litchfield added 3/29/25

43. Golf Ball & Tee Water Tower: Rend Lake, IL =  141 feet

44-45. Duluth Heights Water Tower (2012): Duluth, MN and Aqua NC Water Tower (2024): Beau Rivage, NC = 140 feet – Aqua NC added 2/29/25

46-47. East Bay Water Tower (2017): Traverse City, MI and Meridian “Onion” Water Tower: Meridian, ID = 138 feet – Meridian added 2/29/25

48-52. Peachoid Water Tower (1981): Gaffney, SC; Water Spheroid (1954): Northbrook, IL; Woodfield Mall Water Tower (1971): Schaumburg, IL; Hollywood Water Tower (2016): Hollywood, MD; and Reservoir Water Tower (2025): Mt. Vernon, IL = 135 feet – Hollywood added 2/19/25 and Mt. Vernon added 3/31/25

53. New Smyrna Water Tower (2023): New Smyrna, DE = 133 feet – added 2/19/25

54. Rensselaer Water Tower (2023): Rensselaer, IN = 132 feet – added 2/19/25

55. Senator Paul SimonSmiley Face” Water Tower (1973): Makanda, IL = 131 feet – added 4/1/25

56-61. Poteet Water Tower: Poteet, TX ~ 130 feet; Strawberry Water Tower: Plant City, FL; Lucy Water Tower (1985): Margate, NJ; Moog Water Tower (late 1950s): East Aurora, NY; Greenwood Park Water Tower: Greenwood, IN; and Courtland Water Tower (2020): Courtland, MN = 130 feet – Greenwood Park and Courtland added 2/19/25

62. Cedarburg Water Tower (2021): Cedarburg, WI = 129 feet

63-68. Gonzales Water Tank: Gonzales, CA; Smiley Face Water Tower (1960s): Longport, NJ; Firestone Country Club Water Tower (1959): Akron, OH; Almont Water Tower: Almont, MI; and East End Water Tower: Ocean Isle Beach, NC; Sears Water Tower (1950s): Lansing, MI = 125 feet – Almont and Ocean Isle Beach added 2/19/25; Lansing added 3/31/25

69-70. Beach Ball Water Tower (2016): Ocean City, MD and Smiley Face Water Tower (1956): Ashley, IN = 123 feet – Ashley added 3/31/25

71. Tanglen Water Tower: Minnetonka, MN = 122 feet – added 2/19/25

72. Sheldon Water Tower (2023): Sheldon, IA = 121.5 feet

73. Giant Peach Water Tower (1992): Clanton, AL = 120 feet

74. Wahoo Water Tower (1975): Wahoo, NE = 118 feet – added 2/19/25

75. Hardin’s Landing Water Tower: Spring Hill, TN = 117 feet – added 2/19/25

76. VA Medical Center Water Tower (2024): Louisville, KY = 112 feet – added 2/19/25

77-78. Apple Basket Water Tower (early 1990s): Mt. Jackson, VA and Shipbuilder’s Village Water Tower (late 1980s): Milton, DE = 110 feet – Milton added 2/19.25

79. Paul Bunyan’s Bobber (1960): Pequot Lakes, MN = 106 feet

80-84. Earthoid Water Tank: Germantown, MD and Grimm Road Water Tower (1974): Evansville, IN = 100 feet; Killbourn Spheroid Water Tower: Oak Forest, IL; and Lockwood Spheroid Water Tower: Oak Forest, IL = 100 feet and Baseball Water Tower: Fort Mill, SC ~ 100 feet – two in Oak Forest added 2/19/25

85. Upper Mt. Vernon Water Tower (1971): Evansville, IN = 95 feet

86. Giant City Water Tank/Observation Tower (1970): Giant City State Park, IL = 82 feet

87. Tigerhawk Water Tower (2018): Iowa City, IA = 70 feet

Paul Bunyan’s Bobber: Pequot Lakes, MN – Source: mnbucketlist.com

More information needed:

  • Country Club of Indianapolis Water Tower
  • Centerville Water Tower: Centerville, TX
  • Smiley Face Water Tower: Aroma Park, IL
  • Smiley Face Water Tower: Atlanta, IL
  • Smiley Face Water Tower (1960s): Calumet City, IL x 2 (yellow and pink)
  • Smiley Face Water Tower: Thomasboro, IL
  • Smiley Face Water Tower: Wasetka, IL
  • Smiley Face Water Tower: Fruitport, MI
  • Smiley Face Water Tower: Ironwood, MI
  • Smiley Face Water Tower: Millington, MI
  • Smiley Face Water Tower: Wells Township, MI
  • Smiley Face Water Tower: West Branch, MI
  • Smiley Face Water Tower: Spring Park, MN
  • Smiley Face Water Tower (1970): Waite Park, MN – face was painted over in 2018
  • Smiley Face Water Tower: Eagle, WI
  • Smiley Face Water Tower: Oconto Falls, WI
  • Rose Water Tower (1982): Rosemont, IL
  • Baseball Water Tower: Grove City, OH
  • Baseball Water Tower: Arlington, MN
  • Baseball Water Tower: Ellsworth, IL
  • Highlands “Golf Ball” Water Tower: Hutchinson, KS
  • Duke Power “Atom” Water Tower: Seneca, SC
  • Battle Mountain, NV
  • Newberry “Egg” Water Tower: Newberry, NC
  • Venice, FL
  • Aroma Park, IL #2
  • Ashkum, IL
  • Atterberry, IL
  • Bloomington, IL
  • Centralia, IL
  • Chicago, IL
  • Collinsville, IL
  • Elk Grove Village (2024), IL
  • Fairbury, IL
  • Fairview Heights, IL
  • Frankfort, IL
  • Germantown Hills, IL
  • Grayville, IL
  • Havana, Il
  • Lewiston, IL
  • Lyons, IL
  • Mid-America Airport, IL
  • Monee, IL
  • Morton Grove, IL
  • Nashville, IL
  • Norridge, IL
  • Orland Park, IL
  • Palos Heights, IL
  • Winfield, AL
  • Mobile, AL
  • Peoria Heights, IL #2
  • Wellton, AZ
  • Yuma, AZ
  • Destin Water Tower #1 (1964)
  • Flagler Beach, FL
  • Daytona Beach, FL
  • Florida City, FL
  • Hollywood, FL
  • Miccosukee Reservation, FL
  • Navarre, FL
  • Navarre Beach, IL
  • Fort Walton Beach/Okaloosa County, FL
  • Punta Gorda, FL
  • Venice, FL
  • Canongate, GA
  • Carmel Water Tower: Carmel, IN
  • Gas City, IN
  • Waterloo, IN
  • Rensselaer, IN
  • Anita, IA
  • Klemme, IA
  • Stuart, IA
  • Mandeville, LA
  • Morgan City, LA
  • Annapolis, MD
  • Ann Arbor, MI
  • Saline, MI x 2
  • Scio Township, MI
  • Becker, MN
  • Brooklyn Park #3, MN
  • Center City, MN
  • Black Water Tower: Oakes, MN
  • Clara City, MN
  • Clear Lake, MN
  • Lindstrom #2, MN
  • Dexter, MN
  • Otter Tail, MN
  • Red Wing, MN x 2
  • Sebeka, MN
  • South St. Paul #1, MN
  • Truman, MN
  • Northeast Water Tower (2016): Woodbury, MN
  • Clinton, MS x 2
  • Boonville, MO
  • Higginsville, MO
  • Lake St. Louis, MO
  • Atlantic City, NJ
  • Brigantine , NJ
  • Margate, NJ
  • Harvey Cedars Water Tower, NJ
  • Strathmere, NJ
  • Little Egg Township, NJ
  • Long Beach Township, NJ
  • Villas, NJ
  • Beach Haven Terrace, NJ
  • Hatteras, NC
  • Kill Devil Hills, NC
  • Meadow Ridge Water Tower: West Fargo, ND
  • Grafton, OH – added 2/19/25
  • Huron, OH
  • Vermillion, OH
  • Lake City, SC
  • Myrtle Beach, SC
  • Beach Ball Water Tower (2010): Marion County, SC
  • Chester, SD – added 2/19/25
  • Dell Rapids, SD x2 – added 2/13/25
  • Carrollton, TX
  • Harker Heights, TX (2013)
  • Houston, TX
  • Salado, TX
  • Sealy, TX
  • Victoria, TX
  • Chesapeake, VA
  • Wytheville, VA
  • Barron, WI
  • Bloomer, WI
  • Mauston, WI
  • New Lisbon, WI
  • Pleasant Prairie, WI
  • Plover, WI
  • Portage, WI
  • St. Croix Falls, WI x 2
  • Tomah, WI
  • Turtle Lake, WI
  • Plus many others across the country

SOURCES:

#1 #2 #3 #6 #cities #design #engineering #history #infrastructure #nature #planning #spheroids #statistics #towns #travel #utilities #water #waterTowers

Working list: Tallest water tower in each state

Listed below are the tallest water tower in each state based on available information through the internet. As a result, it is a working list that is subject to updates since details on every water tower in the country are not put online, and water towers are constructed or torn down on a regular basis making the figures provided, pardon the pun…”fluid.” Please note the height criteria is for freestanding water towers, not those placed atop buildings.

Blue Origin Water Tower, FL – Source: orlando sentinel.com Wallops Flight Facility Water Tower, VA – Source: facebook.com

Within the list are new(er) towers, older ones, and a surprising number that no longer function as a holding tank for water due to age, condition, preservation, or repurposing. Interestingly, two of the towers – State University 0f New York (SUNY) at Albany and University of the Pacific/Burns Water Tower in Stockton were/are hidden by the exterior appearance of a bell tower.

Water tower at the SUNY-Albany campus in Albany, NY – Source: loc.gov Burns Water Tower – Stockton,CA – Source: commons.m.wikimedia.org

No doubt the most imaginative adaptive reuse of a former water tower comes from Toa Baja, Puerto Rico where the Levittown Water Tower is now home to the Toa Baja Public Library!

Source: pinterest.com/F&N AirPhoto Source: adictosadescubrirpr.com/2017/08/06/78pueblos1bandera-ruta-norte/

Water towers are often the tallest structure in suburban and rural communities. As a result, their appearance can be an important branding, advertising, or marketing tool for the community and surrounding area. This may include a local high school/college logo, town symbol/logo, something famous about the area, or a patriotic theme. Here are two fun examples (that are not the tallest in their state):

Cawker City, KS – Home of the World’s Largest Ball of Twine – Source: tnemec.com Bryan, OH – Home of Dum-Dum Pops – Source: kiro7.com

Furthermore, instead of a bland structure or one covered with wireless communications antenna, many communities have painted/decorated their water towers to be a source of local pride. There’s even an annual national “Tank of the Year” competition sponsored by the Tnemec Company where since 2006, voters have selected the best Tnemec coated water tower in the country. Winners to date include water towers/tanks in:

  • 2024 – College Station, Texas – local cityscape
  • 2023 – Bryan, Ohio – Dum-Dum Pops (lollipops) – see photo above
  • 2022 – Bossier City, Louisiana – patriotic
  • 2021 – Moorhead, Minnesota – farm country scenery
  • 2020 – Destin, Florida – sea turtle and dolphins
  • 2019 – Wamego, Kansas – Wizard of Oz
  • 2018 – Katy, Texas – murals
  • 2017 – Destin, Florida – beach chairs
  • 2016 – Ann Arbor, Michigan – Huron River Watershed wildlife
  • 2015 – Cocoa, Florida – patriotic
  • 2014 – Midland, Texas – local cityscape
  • 2013 – Mt. Vernon, Illinois – creativity
  • 2012 – Okaloosa Island, Florida – Emerald Coast
  • 2011 – Hollywood, Florida – sea life
  • 2010 – Newton, Kansas – sculpted blue sky and clouds
  • 2009 – Dublin, Ohio – silhouettes of soccer, baseball, and hockey players
  • 2008 – Lake Villa, Illinois – high school logo and mascot
  • 2007 – Anderson, South Carolina – hot air balloons
  • 2006 – Rosemont, Illinois – rose(s)
Sculptured water tower in the Dumbo Neighborhood of Brooklyn – Photo source: reddit.com

Enjoy the list of the tallest tank in each state and if you know of a water tower that exceeds the one provided for a given state, please pass along the data and it will be included. Peace to all!

240 foot tall Farmers Branch, TX Water Tower – Source: keranews.org

*No longer an operating water tower.

_______

  1. Blue Origin Water Tower (1960s): Cape Canaveral Launch Facility #36, FL = 351 feet

2. Wallops Flight Facility Water Tower (ca 1960s), VA = 307 feet

3. Air Force Plant #81 Water Tower (1962): West Valley City, UT ~ 300 feet

4. State University of New York at Albany Water Tower (1965), NY = 248 feet

5. Farmers Branch Water Tower (2019), TX = 240 feet

6. Richfield Water Tower (ca 2019), OH = 233 feet

7. University of Alabama Water Tower (2022): Tuscaloosa, AL = 230 feet

8. Braman Water Spheroid (2010), OK = 220.6 feet

9-11. Lewis & Clark Water Tower (2022): Beresford, SD; Erwin Water Tower (2012), NC; and Federalsburg Water Tower (2017), MD = 220 feet

12-20. New Orleans Water Towers (2), LA; Albert Lea (New) Water Tower, MN; Lyon Township Water Tower (2019), MI; Hot Springs Water Tower (2021), AR; Emporia Water Tower (2019), KS; Nebraska Crossing Water Tower(?): Gretna, NE; and Wildcat Country Water Tower (2023): Lexington, SC; Central Water Tower (2023): Macon, GA; and Tower Park Water Tower (1968): Peoria Heights, IL = 200 feet

21. Bissell Street Water Tower* (1886): St. Louis, MO = 195 feet

22. Tie in the same state – Repurified Water Tower (2012): Murfreesboro, TN and Gibson County Industrial Park Water Tower (2020): Humboldt, TN = 190 feet

23-24. Library Water Tower (2024): Idaho Falls, ID and Louisville Water Tower *(1860), KY= 185 feet

25-26. New Haven Water Tank (1998), IN and Berkeley County Water Tower (2017): Martinsburg, WV = 179 feet

27. University of the Pacific/Burns (Water) Tower* (1963): Stockton, CA = 178 feet

28-32. Mesa del Sol Water Tower: Albuquerque, NM; and Kent Heights Water Tower (1997): East Providence, RI; and Weehawken Water Tower (1883), NJ; Dacona Water Tower, CO; and North Point Water Tower* (1874): Milwaukee, WI = 175 feet

33. Hickham “Freedom” Water Tower* (1928) AFB, HI = 171 feet

34-39. Bondurant Water Tower (2023), IA; North Kalispell Water Tower (2024), MT and New Town Water Tower (2023), ND; St. Elizabeth’s Water Tower (2018): Washington, DC; and Lovell Water Tower (2017), WY = 170 feet

40. Camden-Wyoming Water Tower (2016): Camden, DE = 162 feet

41-44. Salisbury Beach Water Tower (2012), MA; West Hill Water Tower (2022): Kent, WA; Columbus Water Tower (?), MS; and Veolia Water Tower (2023): Mechanicsburg, PA = 160 feet

45. Rochester Water Tower (2023), NH = 156 feet

46-47. Levittown Water Tower: Toa Baja* (1977), PR and Government Hill Water Tower: Anchorage, AK = 150 feet

48. Falcon Field Water Tower* (late 1950s): Mesa, AZ = 140 feet

49. Capital Hill Water Tower (2024): Medford, OR = 135 feet

50. South Burlington Water Tower (2024), VT = 127 feet

51-52. New Canaan Water Tower (2020), CT and People’s Perch Water Tower*: East Baldwin, ME = 120 feet

_______

North Point Water Tower in Milwaukee – Source: visitmilwaukee.com Chicago Water Tower – Source: britannica.com

SOURCES:

#36 #81 #adaptiveReuse #branding #cities #design #engineering #geography #history #infrastructure #landUse #planning #preservation #skylines #spheroids #tanks #Tnemec #towers #travel #utilities #water #waterTowers

2023-06-27

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