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Harlem River facts for kids

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Harlem River
NYC Washington & Alexander Hamilton & High Bridges.jpg
The Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and High Bridges over the Harlem River
Accessible Harlem River.png
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

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

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 20070902-jag9889
Wards Island Bridge in closed position
Wards Island Bridge 20111202-jag9889
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)
RFK Triboro Lift Bridge 20070902-jag9889
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
Old Willis Avenue Bridge 20070902-jag9889
Willis Avenue Bridge from 1901
Willis Avenue Bridge 20160917-jag9889
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 20090530-jag9889
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 ("4" train "5" train "6" train "6" express train 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 20160917-jag9889
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 20060916-jag9889
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 ("2" train 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
145 Street Bridge 20090525-jag9889
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 20160917-jag9889
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 ("B" train "D" train 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
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 20160917-jag9889
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 20090530-jag9889
Alexander Hamilton Bridge
I-95.svg Interstate 95
US 1.svg 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 20090530-jag9889
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 20060916-jag9889
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 20070902-jag9889
Broadway Bridge
US 9.svg US 9
IRT Broadway – Seventh Avenue Line ("1" train 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 20171010-jag9889
Henry Hudson Bridge
NY-9A.svg NY 9A
Henry Hudson Pkwy Shield.svg 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 20120706-jag9889
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)

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Río Harlem para niños

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Harlem River Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.