Tower was educated as a civil engineer. In 1837, he was appointed on the Croton Aqueduct and he continued on that work until its completion in 1842. During the ensuing five years he made Waterville his residence, and at the time prepared his "Illustration of the Croton Aqueduct"  consisting of a series of twenty-one plates with text (New York, 1843).
Tower was educated as a civil engineer. In 1837, he took on responsibility for the Croton Aqueduct and remained involved until its completion in 1842. During the following five years, he established himself in Waterville and produced an illustrated book about the aqueduct (New York, 1843).