Harlem River

2025-03-01T09:38:18Z

1.170.205.25:

{{Short description|Tidal strait in New York City}}
{{More citations needed|date=November 2010}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox river
| name = Harlem River
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
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| image = File:NYC Washington & Alexander Hamilton & High Bridges.jpg
| image_size =
| image_caption = The [[Washington Bridge (Harlem River)|Washington]], [[Alexander Hamilton Bridge|Alexander Hamilton]], and [[High Bridge (New York City)|High]] Bridges over the Harlem River
| map = Accessible Harlem River.png
| map_size = 250px
| map_caption = The Harlem River, shown in yellow, between the Bronx and Manhattan in New York City.
| pushpin_map =
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| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-zoom = 10

| subdivision_type1 = Country
| subdivision_name1 = [[United States]]
| subdivision_type2 = State
| subdivision_name2 = [[New York (state)|New York]]
| subdivision_type3 =
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| subdivision_type4 =
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| subdivision_type5 = Municipality
| subdivision_name5 = [[New York City]]

| length = {{convert|8|mi|km|abbr=on}}
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| source1 = [[Hudson River]]
| source1_location =
| source1_coordinates = {{coord|40.87843|-73.92594|display=inline}}
| source1_elevation =
| mouth = [[East River]]
| mouth_location =
| mouth_coordinates = {{coord|40.78003|-73.93710|display=inline}}
| mouth_elevation =
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| tributaries_left = [[Bronx Kill]]
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}}

The '''Harlem River''' is an {{convert|8|mi|km|adj=on}} [[tidal strait]] in [[New York City]], flowing between the [[Hudson River]] and the [[East River]] and separating the island of [[Manhattan]] from [[the Bronx]] on the United States mainland.

The northern stretch, also called the [[Spuyten Duyvil Creek|Spuyten Duyvil ("spewing devil") Creek]], has been significantly altered for navigation purposes. Originally it curved around the north of [[Marble Hill, Manhattan|Marble Hill]], but in 1895 the [[Harlem Ship Canal]] was dug between Manhattan and Marble Hill, and in 1914 the original course was filled in.

==Use==
[[Harlem River Drive]] and [[Manhattan Waterfront Greenway|Harlem River Greenway]] run along the west bank of the river, and the [[Metro-North Railroad]]'s [[Hudson Line (Metro-North)|Hudson Line]] and [[Major Deegan Expressway]] on the east.
[[Image:NYC Hudson Bridge C rock.jpg|thumb|left|The "C" Rock, with the [[Henry Hudson Bridge]] behind it and the [[Spuyten Duyvil Bridge]] in the distance in the open position.]]

The Harlem River was the traditional [[Watercraft rowing|rowing]] course for New York, analogous to the [[Charles River]] in [[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]] and the [[Schuylkill River]] in [[Philadelphia]]. On the Harlem's banks is the boathouse for the [[Columbia University]] crew, and the river is the home course for the university's crew. Since 1952, a large flat rock face, called the "(Big) C Rock" has been painted with Columbia's varsity "C".<ref>Alma's Owl (pseudonym), "Down by the 'C' Shore", "Ask Alma's Owl" column, ''[[Columbia University Record]]'', [http://www.columbia.edu/cu/record/archives/3214WEB.pdf '''32''':14:1 (June 11, 2007)]</ref> Also on the river are the Peter Jay Sharp Boathouse and Harlem River Community Rowing, two community rowing facilities. The river is used by crews from [[New York University]], [[Fordham University]], and [[Manhattan University]], though the only university with permanent facilities on the river is Columbia.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}

Historically, the west bank of the Harlem River was also an amusement destination. The area between 190th and 192nd Streets was occupied by the [[Fort George Amusement Park]], a [[trolley park]]/[[amusement park]], from 1895 to 1914. Its site is now a seating area in [[Highbridge Park]].<ref>{{cite web | last=Martens | first=Victoria | title=Fort George Amusement Park | website=Museum of the City of New York | date=August 1, 2019 | url=https://www.mcny.org/story/fort-george-amusement-park | access-date=September 2, 2019}}</ref> In the 1890s, the City of New York built a racetrack for horses, the [[Harlem River Speedway]], along the riverbank of the park;<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/07/13/realestate/a-roadway-built-for-the-elite-to-trot-out-their-rigs.html|title=A Roadway Built for the Elite to Trot Out Their Rigs|last=Gray|first=Christopher|date=July 13, 1997|work=The New York Times|access-date=September 15, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> the project started construction in 1894<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1894/02/06/archives/cheers-from-unemployed-1500-saw-mayor-gilroy-begin-work-on-the.html|title=CHEERS FROM UNEMPLOYED; 1,500 SAW MAYOR GILROY BEGIN WORK ON THE SPEEDWAY. Hundreds of Idle Workmen Gathered in the Hope of Getting Work, but Active Construction of the Drive Will Not Begin Until To-day or To-morrow – The Mayor Made a Short Speech of Congratulation – Stories Told by Unemployed.|date=February 6, 1894|work=The New York Times|access-date=September 15, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and opened in July 1898.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1898/07/03/archives/harlem-speedway-opened-pronounced-by-horsemen-to-be-the-finest.html|title=HARLEM SPEEDWAY OPENED; Pronounced by Horsemen to be the Finest Driveway for Light Speeding in the Country. YESTERDAY THE FIRST DAY The Number Present at the Opening Hour Not Large, but Later in the Day Many Wrote Arrived – Interesting Facts.|date=July 3, 1898|work=The New York Times|access-date=September 15, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The Speedway later became the Harlem River Drive, and regular motorists were first allowed on the drive in 1919.<ref name="mcny">{{cite web |last = Robinson |first = Lauren |url = http://mcnyblog.org/2012/02/28/how-harlem-river-speedway-became-harlem-river-drive/ |title = How Harlem River Speedway Became Harlem River Drive |publisher = [[Museum of the City of New York]] |date = February 28, 2012 }}</ref>

== Crossings ==
{{Harlem River map|collapse=yes}}
The Harlem River is spanned by seven swing bridges, four lift bridges, and four arch bridges,<ref name="The Bridges of New York">{{cite book |first=Sharon |last=Reier |title=The Bridges of New York |publisher=Dover Press |year=1977}}</ref> and is navigable to any boat with less than {{convert|55|ft|m}} of [[air draft]]. However, any boat requiring more than {{convert|5|ft|m}} of clearance will require the [[Spuyten Duyvil Bridge]] to swing open. All other movable bridges on the Harlem River provide at least {{convert|24|ft|m}} of clearance while closed, so boats and ships requiring between {{convert|5|and|24|ft|m}} of clearance need only have one bridge swing open. These bridges replaced fixed bridges or lower bridges in the late 19th century to improve navigation. [[High Bridge (New York City)|High Bridge]] was erected between 1837 and 1848 to carry the [[Croton Aqueduct]] across the river. It is the oldest bridge in New York City.

The [[New York City Department of Transportation]] advises that while they make every effort to ensure that all bridges are operating, many of them are under repair at any time, and outside contractors are responsible for opening of bridges under repair.
{| class=wikitable
! Crossing
!Image
! Carries
! Location
! Coordinates

|-
|[[Wards Island Bridge]]
|[[File:Wards Island Bridge 20070902-jag9889.jpg|150x150px]] [[File:Wards Island Bridge 20111202-jag9889.jpg|150x150px]]
Top: closed position bottom: open position
|Pedestrian/bicycle
|[[Manhattan]] and [[Wards Island]]
|{{Coord|40.7861|-73.9371|name=Ward's Island Bridge}}
|-
|[[Triborough Bridge|Robert F. Kennedy Triboro Lift Bridge]] (Harlem Lift Bridge)
|[[File:RFK Triboro Lift Bridge 20070902-jag9889.jpg|150x150px]]
|NY State Route 900G (6 road lanes)
|[[Manhattan]] and [[Randalls and Wards Islands|Randall's Island]]
|{{Coord|40.8003|-73.9278|name=RFK Triboro Lift Bridge}}
|-
|[[Willis Avenue Bridge]]
|[[File:Old Willis Avenue Bridge 20070902-jag9889.jpg|none|150x150px|1901 Bridge]] [[File:Willis Avenue Bridge 20160917-jag9889.jpg|none|150x150px|2010 Bridge]]Top: 1901 bridge; bottom: 2010 bridge
|Northbound auto traffic; Pedestrian/bicycle
|[[Manhattan]] and [[the Bronx]]
|{{Coord|40.8035|-73.9289|name=Willis Avenue Bridge}}
|-
|[[Third Avenue Bridge (New York City)|Third Avenue Bridge]]
|[[File:Third Avenue Bridge 20090530-jag9889.jpg|150x150px]]
|Southbound auto traffic; Pedestrian/bicycle
|[[Manhattan]] and [[the Bronx]]
|{{coord|40.8076|N|73.9325|W|name=Third Avenue Bridge}}
|-
|[[Lexington Avenue Tunnel]]
|
|[[IRT Lexington Avenue Line]] ({{NYCS trains|Lexington|time=bullets}})
|[[Manhattan]] and [[the Bronx]]
|{{coord|40.8095|-73.9332|name=Lexington Avenue Tunnel}}
|-
|[[Park Avenue Bridge (New York City)|Park Avenue Bridge]]
|[[File:Park Avenue Bridge 20160917-jag9889.jpg|150x150px]]
|[[Metro-North Railroad]]
|[[Manhattan]] and [[the Bronx]]
|{{coord|40.8111|N|73.9333|W|name=Park Avenue Bridge}}
|-
|[[Madison Avenue Bridge]]
|[[File:Madison Avenue Bridge 20060916-jag9889.jpg|150x150px]]
|Southbound/eastbound auto traffic; pedestrian/bicycle
|[[Manhattan]] and [[the Bronx]]
|{{coord|40.8115|N|73.9327|W|name=Madison Avenue Bridge}}
|-
|[[149th Street Tunnel]]
|
|[[IRT White Plains Road Line]] ({{NYCS trains|White Plains south|time=bullets}})
|[[Manhattan]] and [[the Bronx]]
|{{coord|40.8189|N|73.9331|W|name=149th Street Tunnel}}
|-
|[[145th Street Bridge]]
|[[File:145 Street Bridge 20090525-jag9889.jpg|150x150px]]
|Westbound/eastbound auto traffic; pedestrian/bicycle
|[[Manhattan]] and [[the Bronx]]
|{{coord|40.8195|N|73.9331|W|name=145th Street Bridge}}
|-
|[[Macombs Dam Bridge]]
|[[File:Macombs Dam Bridge 20160917-jag9889.jpg|150x150px]]
|Westbound/eastbound auto traffic; pedestrian/bicycle
|[[Manhattan]] and [[the Bronx]]
|{{coord|40.8281|N|73.9339|W|name=Macombs Dam Bridge}}
|-
|[[Concourse Tunnel]]
|
|[[IND Concourse Line]] ({{NYCS trains|Concourse|time=bullets}})
|[[Manhattan]] and [[the Bronx]]
|{{coord|40.8306|-73.9341|name=Concourse Tunnel}}
|-
|[[Putnam Bridge (New York City)|Putnam Bridge]] (1881–1960)
|[[File:Putnam Bridge.jpg|none|150px]]
|[[IRT Ninth Avenue Line|Ninth Avenue El]]
|[[Manhattan]] and [[the Bronx]]
|{{coord|40.8322|N|73.9343|W|name=Putnam Bridge}}
|-
|[[High Bridge (New York City)|High Bridge]]
|[[File:High Bridge 20160917-jag9889.jpg|150x150px]]
|Pedestrian
|[[Manhattan]] and [[the Bronx]]
|{{coord|40.8423|N|73.9303|W|name=High Bridge}}
|-
|[[Alexander Hamilton Bridge]]
|[[File:Alexander Hamilton Bridge 20090530-jag9889.jpg|150x150px]]
|[[File:I-95.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 95 in New York|Interstate 95]] [[File:US 1.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 1]]
|[[Manhattan]] and [[the Bronx]]
|{{coord|40.8456|N|73.9287|W|name=Alexander Hamilton Bridge}}
|-
|[[Washington Bridge (Harlem River)|Washington Bridge]]
|[[File:Washington Bridge 20090530-jag9889.jpg|150x150px]]
|Westbound/eastbound auto traffic; pedestrian/bicycle
|[[Manhattan]] and [[the Bronx]]
|{{coord|40.8469|N|73.9281|W|name=Washington Bridge}}
|-
|[[University Heights Bridge]]
|[[File:University Heights Bridge 20060916-jag9889.jpg|150x150px]]
|Westbound/eastbound auto traffic; pedestrian/bicycle
|[[Manhattan]] and [[the Bronx]]
|{{coord|40.8628|N|73.9150|W|name=University Heights Bridge}}
|-
|[[Broadway Bridge (Manhattan)|Broadway Bridge]]
|[[File:Broadway Bridge 20070902-jag9889.jpg|150x150px]]
|[[File:US 9.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 9 in New York|US 9]] [[IRT Broadway – Seventh Avenue Line]] ({{NYCS trains|Broadway-Seventh north|time=bullets}})
|[[Manhattan]] Island and [[Marble Hill, Manhattan]]
|{{coord|40.8736|-73.9111|name=Broadway Bridge}}
|-
|[[Henry Hudson Bridge]]
|[[File:Henry Hudson Bridge 20171010-jag9889.jpg|150x150px]]
|[[File:NY-9A.svg|20px]] [[New York State Route 9A|NY 9A]] [[File:Henry Hudson Pkwy Shield free.svg|30px]] [[Henry Hudson Parkway]]
|[[Manhattan]] and [[the Bronx]]
|{{coord|40.8779|N|73.9218|W|name=Henry Hudson Bridge}}
|-
|[[Spuyten Duyvil Bridge]]
|[[File:Spuyten Duyvil Bridge 20120706-jag9889.jpg|150x150px]]
|[[Amtrak]] [[Empire Connection]]
|[[Manhattan]] and [[the Bronx]]
|{{coord|40.8783|N|73.9256|W|name=Spuyten Duyvil Bridge}}
|}
{{Stack|float=left|{{GeoGroup}}}}
{{clear}}

==See also==
* [[Geography of New York City]]
* [[Geography of New York Harbor]]
* [[List of New York rivers]]

==References==
'''Notes'''
{{Reflist}}

'''Further reading'''
* {{cite book |title= Harlem River |first= Rodrigue Ruiz |last= Botella |date= October 27, 2019 |isbn= 978-1-702-82578-8 }}, a novel that highlights the Harlem River and its surroundings

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline|Harlem River}}

{{Hudson River}}
{{New York City waterways}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|40|50|05.00|N|73|56|02.85|W|name=Harlem River|region:US-NY_type:river_source:dewiki|display=title}}

[[Category:Harlem River| ]]
[[Category:Transportation in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Straits of Bronx County, New York]]
[[Category:Straits of New York County, New York]]

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Harlem River