Area Map & Photos - Harlem River

Choose the Cameras Along the Water Body Project Area of the Harlem River
to VIEW PHOTOS in a seperate browser window.

Harlem River Photos I 1 I 2 I 3 I 4 I 5 I 6 I 7 I 8 I

The Harlem River is a tidal river strait connecting the Hudson and lower East Rivers. It is located between northeastern Manhattan and the southwestern section of the Bronx. The river abuts Community Districts 10, 11 and 12 in Manhattan and Community Districts 1, 4, 5, 7 and 8 in the Bronx. The Harlem River study area extends from Spuyten Duyvil Creek at the northernmost point in Manhattan southward to East 101st Street and extends to the southernmost point of Wards Island. The 7.5-mile long river receives upstream flows from the Hudson River, as well as, tidal currents from the lower East River which produces monthly fluctuations in flow directions (north and south). The river is classified by New York State as a Class I saline surface water with suitable uses identified for secondary contact recreation and fishing. The Harlem River is generally oriented in a north/south direction and has a typical width of approximately 400 to 500 feet, although in its lower reaches it may widen to 1,000 feet. The depth of the river ranges anywhere from 12 to 26 feet deep at mean low water. There are numerous pedestrian, vehicular, railroad and an aqueduct bridge which cross the Harlem River. The Harlem River and FDR Drives and the Major Deegan Expressway (U.S. Interstate Route 87) generally parallel the river on the eastern and western shorelines, respectively. The majority of the river is bulkheaded on both sides except the northern reaches which have some steep shorelines near Inwood Hill. In addition, an existing rail link extends along the eastern shore of the river in its southern reach.