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NYC's Only Fresh Water River

About the Bronx River

One of the little-known marvels of the New York City landscape, the 23-mile Bronx River, winds down through southern Westchester and the Bronx. Sourced from the Kensico Reservoir, it is the only major watercourse within the city limits that is not entirely tidal.

This corridor of greenery— a peaceful area fishing, strolling, biking, boating, and connecting with nature—has always been a source of life. But it wasn’t always treated that way.

The river’s original people were the Mohegans, who lived and fished here. In the 1600s, European traders came to trap the sleek, fat beavers for fur, and Jonas Bronck purchased land from the Mohegans. A hundred years later, mills produced paper, flour, snuff, and more, powered by the river.

In the 1840s, the New York Central railroad helped the valley become an industrial corridor. The river became filthy, being called an “open sewer” by the end of the 19th century.

In the 1920s, creation of the parkway helped buffer some of the misuse. But it wasn’t until the 1970s that significant turnaround for the river started with the Bronx River Restoration. The Bronx River Alliance expanded their work at the turn of the 21st century.

Deepen your connection to the river by discovering more about river’s history. 

Contents

Indigenous Knowledge
Name
Aquehung, “River of High Bluffs”
Stewards
The Lenape, Siwanoy and Weckquaesgeek people
Location
Country
United States
State
New York
Region
Hudson Valley
County
Westchester and The Bronx
Municipalities
Mount Pleasant, White Plains, Greenburgh, Scarsdale, Eastchester, Yonkers, Bronx, North Castle, Elmsford, Tuckahoe, Mount Vernon, and Bronxville
Physical Characteristics
Source
Kensico Reservoir
• location
North Castle
•coordinates
41°4′27″N 73°46′0″W
• elevation
354 ft (108 m)
Mouth
East River and Long Island Sound
• location
Hunts Point and Soundview in The Bronx
•coordinates
40°48′11″N 73°51′49.0″W
• elevation
0 ft (0 m)
Length
24 mi (39 km)
Basin size
38.4 sq mi (99 km2)
Discharge
• location
Bronx Botanical Gardens[2]
• maximum
3,460 cu ft/s (98 m3/s)[3]
Basin Features
Tributaries
• right
Troublesome Brook, Grassy Sprain Brook,

Awards & Recognitions

Explore Untold History

Expand Your Connection to the River through Indigenous History

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After 400 years of colonization, [the Bronx River] relies on us to keep our indigenous history, culture and natural namesake alive.

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Further Reading

Learn more about the Bronx River

Current Bronx River Conditions

Planning to head to the river? What you need to know

Before you paddle the Bronx River, check out this information about the tides and flow gauge of the water. While there’s plenty of beauty to enjoy if you get stuck, we’d like you to have a smooth ride!

Tide Chart

NOAA Tide Predictions

Flow Gauge

Discharge & Gage Height Data