The Harlem River is an tidal strait in New York City, flowing between the Hudson River and the East River. It separates the island of Manhattan from the Bronx on the United States 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 Ship Canal was dug between Manhattan and Marble Hill, and in 1914 the original course was filled in.
Use Harlem River Drive 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.
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 "(Big) C Rock" has been painted with Columbia's varsity "C".Alma's Owl (pseudonym), "Down by the 'C' Shore", "Ask Alma's Owl" column, Columbia University Record, 32:14:1 (June 11, 2007) 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.
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, four lift bridges, and four arch bridges, and is navigable to any boat with less than of air draft. However, any boat requiring more than of clearance will require the Spuyten Duyvil Bridge to swing open. All other movable bridges on the Harlem River provide at least of clearance while closed, so boats and ships requiring between 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. CrossingImage Carries Location CoordinatesWards Island Bridge Top: closed positionbottom: open positionPedestrian/bicycleManhattan and Wards IslandRobert F. Kennedy Triboro Lift Bridge (Harlem Lift Bridge)NY State Route 900G (6 road lanes)Manhattan and Randall's IslandWillis Avenue Bridge Top: 1901 bridge;bottom: 2010 bridgeNorthbound auto traffic; Pedestrian/bicycleManhattan and the BronxThird Avenue BridgeSouthbound auto traffic; Pedestrian/bicycleManhattan and the BronxLexington Avenue TunnelIRT Lexington Avenue Line ()Manhattan and the BronxPark Avenue BridgeMetro-North RailroadManhattan and the BronxMadison Avenue BridgeSouthbound/eastbound auto traffic; pedestrian/bicycleManhattan and the Bronx149th Street TunnelIRT White Plains Road Line ()Manhattan and the Bronx145th Street BridgeWestbound/eastbound auto traffic; pedestrian/bicycleManhattan and the BronxMacombs Dam BridgeWestbound/eastbound auto traffic; pedestrian/bicycleManhattan and the BronxConcourse TunnelIND Concourse Line ()Manhattan and the BronxPutnam Bridge (1881–1960)Ninth Avenue ElManhattan and the BronxHigh BridgePedestrianManhattan and the BronxAlexander Hamilton Bridge Interstate 95 U.S. Route 1Manhattan and the BronxWashington BridgeWestbound/eastbound auto traffic; pedestrian/bicycleManhattan and the BronxUniversity Heights BridgeWestbound/eastbound auto traffic; pedestrian/bicycleManhattan and the BronxBroadway Bridge US 9IRT Broadway – Seventh Avenue Line ()Manhattan Island and Marble Hill, ManhattanHenry Hudson Bridge NY 9A Henry Hudson ParkwayManhattan and the BronxSpuyten Duyvil BridgeAmtrak Empire ConnectionManhattan and the Bronx
See also Geography of New York City Geography of New York Harbor List of New York rivers
References Notes
Further reading , a novel that highlights the Harlem River and its surroundings
External links