Rockaway Inlet facts for kids
Rockaway Inlet is a narrow water passage that connects a large bay called Jamaica Bay with the Atlantic Ocean. It's located entirely within New York City. This important waterway separates the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens from an area in Brooklyn called Floyd Bennett Field.
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What is Rockaway Inlet?
A "strait" is a narrow channel of water that links two larger bodies of water. Rockaway Inlet acts like a natural gateway. It lets water flow between Jamaica Bay and the vast Atlantic Ocean. This inlet is a key part of the waterways around New York City.
Where is it Located?
Rockaway Inlet has Brooklyn on its northern side. The Rockaway Peninsula forms its southern border. Most of this inlet is inside the Gateway National Recreation Area. This is a special park area with beaches and natural spaces.
The entrance to Rockaway Inlet from the ocean is marked by a light. This light sits on a long wall called a jetty. The main path for boats, called the channel, goes west of this jetty. Buoys with lights help guide ships safely. The channel is about 15 feet deep in the middle. However, there is a shallow area, called a shoal, that is only about one foot deep. In 1968, a light stopped working. Because of this, a large ship named the Mary A. Whalen ran aground, meaning it got stuck in the shallow water.
The Marine Parkway Bridge
A large bridge crosses over Rockaway Inlet. This bridge is called the Marine Parkway–Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge. It connects the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens with Brooklyn.
