Harlem River


The Harlem River is an tidal strait in New York, United States, flowing between the Hudson River and the East River and separating the island of Manhattan from the Bronx on the New York mainland.
The northern stretch, also called the Spuyten Duyvil Creek, has been significantly altered for navigation purposes. Originally it curved around the north of Marble Hill, but in 1895 the Harlem River Ship Canal was dug between Manhattan and Marble Hill, and in 1914 the original course was filled in.

Usage

and Harlem River Greenway run along the west bank of the river, and the Metro-North Railroad's Hudson Line and Major Deegan Expressway on the east.
behind it and the Spuyten Duyvil Bridge in the distance in the open position.
The Harlem River was the traditional rowing course for New York, analogous to the Charles River in 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 " C Rock" has been painted with Columbia's varsity "C". 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 College, though the only university with permanent facilities on the river is Columbia.
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. In the 1890s, the City of New York built a racetrack for horses, the Harlem River Speedway, along the riverbank of the park; the project started construction in 1894 and opened in July 1898. The Speedway later became the Harlem River Drive, and regular motorists were first allowed on the drive in 1919.

Crossings

The Harlem River is spanned by seven swing bridges, three lift bridges, and four arch bridges, and is navigable to any boat with less than 55 feet of air draft. However, any boat requiring more than 5 feet of clearance will require the Spuyten Duyvil Bridge to swing open. All other movable bridges on the Harlem River provide at least 24 feet of clearance while closed, so boats and ships requiring between 5 and 24 feet 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 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.
CrossingImageCarriesLocationCoordinates
Wards Island Bridge
Top: closed position
bottom: open position
Pedestrian/bicycleManhattan and Wards Island
Robert F. Kennedy Triboro Lift Bridge NY State Route 900G Manhattan and Randall's Island
Willis Avenue Bridge Top: 1901 bridge;
bottom: 2010 bridge
Northbound auto traffic; Pedestrian/bicycleManhattan and the Bronx
Third Avenue BridgeSouthbound auto traffic; Pedestrian/bicycleManhattan and the Bronx
Lexington Avenue TunnelIRT Lexington Avenue Line Manhattan and the Bronx
Park Avenue BridgeMetro-North RailroadManhattan and the Bronx
Madison Avenue BridgeSouthbound/eastbound auto traffic; pedestrian/bicycleManhattan and the Bronx
149th Street TunnelIRT White Plains Road Line Manhattan and the Bronx
145th Street BridgeWestbound/eastbound auto traffic; pedestrian/bicycleManhattan and the Bronx
Macombs Dam BridgeWestbound/eastbound auto traffic; pedestrian/bicycleManhattan and the Bronx
Putnam Bridge Ninth Avenue ElManhattan and the Bronx
Concourse TunnelIND Concourse Line Manhattan and the Bronx
High BridgePedestrianManhattan and the Bronx
Alexander Hamilton Bridge Interstate 95
U.S. Route 1
Manhattan and the Bronx
Washington BridgeWestbound/eastbound auto traffic; pedestrian/bicycleManhattan and the Bronx
University Heights BridgeWestbound/eastbound auto traffic; pedestrian/bicycleManhattan and the Bronx
Broadway Bridge US 9
IRT Broadway – Seventh Avenue Line
Manhattan Island and Marble Hill, Manhattan
Henry Hudson Bridge NY 9A
Henry Hudson Parkway
Manhattan and the Bronx
Spuyten Duyvil BridgeAmtrak Empire ConnectionManhattan and the Bronx