Harlem River Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Harlem River
The Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and High Bridges over the Harlem River
The Harlem River, shown in yellow, between the Bronx and Manhattan in New York City.
Country	United States
State	New York
Municipality	New York City
Physical characteristics
Main source	Hudson River 40°52′42″N 73°55′33″W / 40.87843°N 73.92594°W / 40.87843; -73.92594
River mouth	East River 40°46′48″N 73°56′14″W / 40.78003°N 73.93710°W / 40.78003; -73.93710
Length	8 mi (13 km)
Basin features
Tributaries	Left: Bronx Kill

The Harlem River is an 8-mile (13 km) long tidal strait in New York. It flows between the Hudson River and the East River. This waterway separates the island of Manhattan from the Bronx, which is part of the New York mainland.

The northern part of the river is also known as the Spuyten Duyvil Creek. This name means "spewing devil." This area has been changed a lot to make it easier for boats to travel. Originally, the creek curved around Marble Hill. But in 1895, the Harlem Ship Canal was dug. This new canal created a direct path between Manhattan and Marble Hill. Later, in 1914, the old curved part of the creek was filled in.

What the Harlem River is Used For
- Rowing and Boating on the River
- Past Entertainment and Roads
Bridges Over the Harlem River
Images for kids
See also

What the Harlem River is Used For

The Harlem River is a busy waterway with many things happening along its banks. The Harlem River Drive and the Harlem River Greenway are roads and paths that run along the west side of the river. On the east side, you'll find the Metro-North Railroad's Hudson Line and the Major Deegan Expressway.

Rowing and Boating on the River

The Harlem River has a long history as a place for rowing in New York City. It's similar to the Charles River in Boston or the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia. The boathouse for the Columbia University rowing team is located on the river's banks. This means the river is their home course for practices and races.

Since 1952, a large flat rock face near the river has been painted with Columbia University's varsity "C." This rock is known as the "(Big) C Rock." There are also other places for rowing on the river, like the Peter Jay Sharp Boathouse and Harlem River Community Rowing. These facilities help people in the community learn and enjoy rowing. Even though teams from New York University, Fordham University, and Manhattan College use the river, Columbia is the only university with its own permanent buildings there.

Past Entertainment and Roads

In the past, the west bank of the Harlem River was a popular spot for fun and entertainment. From 1895 to 1914, an amusement park called Fort George Amusement Park was located between 190th and 192nd Streets. Today, this area is a seating spot in Highbridge Park.

In the 1890s, New York City built a special racetrack for horses along the riverbank. This was called the Harlem River Speedway. Construction started in 1894, and it opened in July 1898. Later, this Speedway was turned into the Harlem River Drive. Regular cars were first allowed on the drive in 1919.

Bridges Over the Harlem River

The Harlem River has many bridges that connect Manhattan and the Bronx. There are seven swing bridges, four lift bridges, and four arch bridges. Boats that are less than 55 feet (17 m) tall can usually pass under these bridges. However, if a boat needs more than 5 feet (1.5 m) of space, the Spuyten Duyvil Bridge needs to swing open.

Most other movable bridges on the Harlem River offer at least 24 feet (7.3 m) of space when they are closed. This means that boats needing between 5 and 24 feet (1.5 and 7.3 m) of clearance only need one bridge to open. These modern bridges replaced older, lower bridges in the late 1800s to make it easier for boats to travel. The High Bridge was built between 1837 and 1848. It was made to carry the Croton Aqueduct (a system for carrying water) across the river. It is the oldest bridge in New York City.

The New York City Department of Transportation tries to make sure all bridges are working. However, many bridges are often being repaired. Outside companies are in charge of opening bridges that are under repair.

Crossing	Image	Carries	Location	Coordinates
Wards Island Bridge	Wards Island Bridge in closed position Wards Island Bridge in open position	Pedestrian/bicycle	Manhattan and Wards Island	40°47′10″N 73°56′14″W / 40.7861°N 73.9371°W / 40.7861; -73.9371 (Ward's Island Bridge)
Robert F. Kennedy Triboro Lift Bridge (Harlem Lift Bridge)	Robert F. Kennedy Triboro Lift Bridge	NY State Route 900G (6 road lanes)	Manhattan and Randall's Island	40°48′01″N 73°55′40″W / 40.8003°N 73.9278°W / 40.8003; -73.9278 (RFK Triboro Lift Bridge)
Willis Avenue Bridge	Willis Avenue Bridge from 1901 Willis Avenue Bridge from 2010	Northbound auto traffic; Pedestrian/bicycle	Manhattan and the Bronx	40°48′13″N 73°55′44″W / 40.8035°N 73.9289°W / 40.8035; -73.9289 (Willis Avenue Bridge)
Third Avenue Bridge	Third Avenue Bridge	Southbound auto traffic; Pedestrian/bicycle	Manhattan and the Bronx	40°48′27″N 73°55′57″W / 40.8076°N 73.9325°W / 40.8076; -73.9325 (Third Avenue Bridge)
Lexington Avenue Tunnel		IRT Lexington Avenue Line ( trains)	Manhattan and the Bronx	40°48′34″N 73°56′00″W / 40.8095°N 73.9332°W / 40.8095; -73.9332 (Lexington Avenue Tunnel)
Park Avenue Bridge	Park Avenue Bridge	Metro-North Railroad	Manhattan and the Bronx	40°48′40″N 73°56′00″W / 40.8111°N 73.9333°W / 40.8111; -73.9333 (Park Avenue Bridge)
Madison Avenue Bridge	Madison Avenue Bridge	Southbound/eastbound auto traffic; pedestrian/bicycle	Manhattan and the Bronx	40°48′41″N 73°55′58″W / 40.8115°N 73.9327°W / 40.8115; -73.9327 (Madison Avenue Bridge)
149th Street Tunnel		IRT White Plains Road Line ( train)	Manhattan and the Bronx	40°49′08″N 73°55′59″W / 40.8189°N 73.9331°W / 40.8189; -73.9331 (149th Street Tunnel)
145th Street Bridge	145th Street Bridge	Westbound/eastbound auto traffic; pedestrian/bicycle	Manhattan and the Bronx	40°49′10″N 73°55′59″W / 40.8195°N 73.9331°W / 40.8195; -73.9331 (145th Street Bridge)
Macombs Dam Bridge	Macombs Dam Bridge	Westbound/eastbound auto traffic; pedestrian/bicycle	Manhattan and the Bronx	40°49′41″N 73°56′02″W / 40.8281°N 73.9339°W / 40.8281; -73.9339 (Macombs Dam Bridge)
Concourse Tunnel		IND Concourse Line ( trains)	Manhattan and the Bronx	40°49′50″N 73°56′03″W / 40.8306°N 73.9341°W / 40.8306; -73.9341 (Concourse Tunnel)
Putnam Bridge (1881–1960)	Putnam Bridge (1881–1960)	Ninth Avenue El	Manhattan and the Bronx	40°49′56″N 73°56′03″W / 40.8322°N 73.9343°W / 40.8322; -73.9343 (Putnam Bridge)
High Bridge	High Bridge	Pedestrian	Manhattan and the Bronx	40°50′32″N 73°55′49″W / 40.8423°N 73.9303°W / 40.8423; -73.9303 (High Bridge)
Alexander Hamilton Bridge	Alexander Hamilton Bridge	Interstate 95 U.S. Route 1	Manhattan and the Bronx	40°50′44″N 73°55′43″W / 40.8456°N 73.9287°W / 40.8456; -73.9287 (Alexander Hamilton Bridge)
Washington Bridge	Washington Bridge	Westbound/eastbound auto traffic; pedestrian/bicycle	Manhattan and the Bronx	40°50′49″N 73°55′41″W / 40.8469°N 73.9281°W / 40.8469; -73.9281 (Washington Bridge)
University Heights Bridge	University Heights Bridge	Westbound/eastbound auto traffic; pedestrian/bicycle	Manhattan and the Bronx	40°51′46″N 73°54′54″W / 40.8628°N 73.9150°W / 40.8628; -73.9150 (University Heights Bridge)
Broadway Bridge	Broadway Bridge	US 9 IRT Broadway – Seventh Avenue Line ( train)	Manhattan Island and Marble Hill, Manhattan	40°52′25″N 73°54′40″W / 40.8736°N 73.9111°W / 40.8736; -73.9111 (Broadway Bridge)
Henry Hudson Bridge	Henry Hudson Bridge	NY 9A Henry Hudson Parkway	Manhattan and the Bronx	40°52′40″N 73°55′18″W / 40.8779°N 73.9218°W / 40.8779; -73.9218 (Henry Hudson Bridge)
Spuyten Duyvil Bridge	Spuyten Duyvil Bridge	Amtrak Empire Connection	Manhattan and the Bronx	40°52′42″N 73°55′32″W / 40.8783°N 73.9256°W / 40.8783; -73.9256 (Spuyten Duyvil Bridge)