Waterbody / Watershed Facts - Bronx River

BOROUGH:

Bronx

SEWER DISTRICTS

Hunts Point

COMMUNITY DISTRICT(S):

2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 11 and 12

SHORELINE USES:

Industrial; Commercial; Recreational; Residential; Parkland and Open Space

USE CLASSIFICATION:

Class B (upper reaches fresh) - Primary and Secondary Contact, Fishing Class I (lower reaches tidal) - Secondary Contact, Fishing

EXISTING WATER QUALITY:

Dissolved oxygen and total coliform bacteria levels are in non- compliance with standards (East River CSO Facility Plan, 1996). Settleable solids and floatables are discharged by CSOs to the lower, saline reaches. A majority of the floatables are contained by a boom.

EXISTING WATER USES:

Most common water usage in the upper reaches is attendant to pedestrian and bicycle trailways and parkland areas. Recreational boating occurs in the lower reaches.

SOURCES OF
WATER POLLUTION:

CSO, storm water and other runoff, upstream water quality, East River

PHYSICAL CONDITIONS
EFFECTING WATER QUALITY
AND USES:

Upper, freshwater reaches are mostly free-flowing but have several dams inducing impoundments. Lower reaches in saline portion are mostly bulkheaded and dredged.

ECOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION:

Special Natural Waterfront Area at Mouth (NYCDCP)

DEP WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT(S):(WQIP)

Catch Basin Hooding Program; Interim Floatables Containment Program; CSO Facility Plan - construct storage conduit to relocate one CSO outfall and provide in-line storage (4 MG) with pumpback for treatment.

PROJECTED WQIP WATER QUALITY:

No change in Class B waters. In Class I water dissolved oxygen and coliform levels will improve but standards will not be met. Substantial reduction of floatables discharges.

OTHER WQIP INITIATIVES:

NYCDPR - acquisition of new open space areas and restoration of existing areas USACE - proposed restoration sites to restore ecological health and wildlife habitat - proposed Regional Flood Control and Ecosystem Restoration Study