East River
This article is about the East River in New York City. For other uses, see East River (disambiguation). |
The East River is shown in red on this satellite photo of New York City. |
|
Southern view of the Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Williamsburg bridges (front to back), seen from the East River. |
The
East River is a tidal
strait in
New York City connecting
Upper New York Bay on its south end to
Long Island Sound on its north end. It separates
Long Island (including the boroughs of
Queens and
Brooklyn) from the island of
Manhattan and
the Bronx on the
North American mainland.
In reference to its connection to Long Island Sound, it was once also known as the
Sound River.
Historically, the lower portion of the river (separating Manhattan from Brooklyn) was one of the busiest and most important channels in the world, particularly during the first three centuries of New York City's history. The
Brooklyn Bridge, opened in 1883, was the first bridge to span the river, replacing frequent ferry service. (Some passenger ferry service remains between Queens and Manhattan.)
The
Bronx River drains into the East River in the northern section of the strait.
North of
Ward's Island, it is joined by the
Bronx Kill. Along the east of Ward's Island, at approximately the strait's midpoint, it narrows into a channel called
Hell Gate, which is spanned by both the
Triborough Bridge and the
Hell Gate Bridge. On the south side of Ward's Island, it is joined by the
Harlem River.
Newtown Creek on Long Island drains into the East River, forming part of the boundary between Queens and Brooklyn.
The East River contains a number of
islands, including:
*Upper section
**
Riker's Island**
North Brother Island**
South Brother Island**
Mill Rock*Lower Section
**
Ward's Island and
Randall's Island (joined by
landfill)
**
Roosevelt Island**
U Thant Island (Belmont Island)
Bridges
The river is spanned by eight
bridges, which from north to south are:
*
Throgs Neck Bridge*
Bronx-Whitestone Bridge*
Rikers Island Bridge (From Queens to
Rikers Island only)
*
Hell Gate Bridge*
Triborough Bridge (East River Suspension Span)
*
Roosevelt Island Bridge (east channel only)
*
Queensboro Bridge*
Williamsburg Bridge*
Manhattan Bridge*
Brooklyn Bridge.
Tunnels
The river is spanned by thirteen
tunnels. From north to south, along with uses as of July 2006:
*
63rd Street Tunnel (Trains of the
subway service)
*
60th Street Tunnel (Trains of the subway services)
*
53rd Street Tunnel (Trains of the subway services)
*
Steinway Tunnel (Trains of the subway service)
*
Queens Midtown Tunnel (Vehicular traffic of
Interstate 495)
*
East River Tunnels (
Long Island Railroad and
Amtrak trains from
Penn Station to points north and east)
*
14th Street Tunnel (Trains of the subway service)
*
Rutgers Street Tunnel (Trains of the subway service)
*
Cranberry Street Tunnel (Trains of the subway services)
*
Clark Street Tunnel (Trains of the subway services)
*
Montague Street Tunnel (Trains of the subway services)
*
Joralemon Street Tunnel (Trains of the subway services)
*
Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel (Vehicular traffic of
Interstate 478)
*
List of New York rivers*
Geography and environment of New York City*
East River page from the Greater Astoria Historical Society*
LIC Community Boathouse site for free paddling on the East River*
Western Queens waterfront information page
