- Harlem River
The Harlem River is a navigable tidal
strait inNew York City , USA that flows 8 miles (13 km) between theEast River and theHudson River , separating the boroughs ofManhattan andthe Bronx . Part of the current course of the Harlem River is the Harlem River Ship Canal, which runs somewhat south of the former course of the river, isolating a small portion of Manhattan (Marble Hill) on the Bronx side of the river.The Harlem River is spanned by six swing bridges, one lift bridge, and three arch bridgesKenneth T. Jackson: The Encyclopedia of New York City: The New York Historical Society; Yale University Press; 1995. P. 527.] , and is navigable to any boat with less than 55 feet (16.8 m) of
air draft . However, any boat requiring more than 5 feet (1.5 m) of clearance will require theSpuyten Duyvil Bridge to swing for them. All other movable bridges on the Harlem River provide at least 24 feet (7.3 m) of clearance while closed, so boats requiring between 5 and 24 feet (1.5 and 7.3 m) of clearance need only have one bridge swing for them. These bridges replaced fixed bridges or lower bridges in the late 19th century to improve navigation. In recent years,when? test openings of the movable bridges on the Harlem River have outnumbered openings for navigation. There are no fees for navigation of the river.
High Bridge, which is the highest bridge across the river, was originally erected between1837 and1848 to carry theCroton Aqueduct across the river.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. As well, sometimes on hot summer days, many of the bridge decks seize due to thermal expansion, and cannot open or close. Since the city will not allow more than one bridge open at a time, a bridge seizing in the open position can potentially leave a mariner stranded in a small section of the river.Harlem River Drive and Harlem River Greenway run along the right bank of the river, andHudson Line (Metro-North) railroad andMajor Deegan Expressway the left.The Harlem River was the traditional rowing course for New York, analogous to the
Charles River in Boston and theSchuylkill River inPhiladelphia . On the Harlem's banks is the boathouse for theColumbia University crew, and the river is the home course for the university's crew. The "C Rock" refers to a large Columbia varsity "C" painted on a rock face along the tracks used byMetro-North Railroad .Also on the river is the Peter Jay Sharp Boathouse, a community rowing facility. The river is used by crews from
New York University ,Fordham University , andManhattan College , though the only university with permanent facilities on the river is Columbia. In the past, Columbia rowers have assisted theNew York City Police Department in murder investigations by sighting bodies in the water.Fact|date=February 2007 Such occurrences have appeared in the television series "Law & Order ".Crossings
ee also
*
Geography of New York Harbor
*List of New York rivers References
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