NYC’s Hudson River: Clean Enough To Swim In? - Cheddar Explains

For years following World War II, it was unthinkable to swim in New York City’s harbor. Today, though, decades of effort and hard work have made a big difference – and the water regularly tests clean. But… is it safe to swim in?

Further reading:

UrbanSwim

New York Open Water

InsideHook

Riverkeeper

Outside

Curbed

The New York Times

Connect with Cheddar!

[FDNYlax]

The water currents are considerably strong so swimming without a safety boat(kayaker) is strongly discouraged. Too many people die each year by jumping in for a swim are getting swept away and drowning.

[ronmaximilian]

Safety isn't just a matter of what's in the water. It's also a fact of the flow of the water. There are parts of the East River, which are quite dangerous to swim in because of the tides and riptides. For instance, swimming at Hell's gate is a wonderful way of ending up in the afterlife

[yogitam]

I grew up 3 blocks from the East River (Pike Street) during the 70s and 80s. Back then, it was so polluted that you could smell the river before even getting close to it. I am glad they cleaned up a lot of it. Now when I visit the old hood, I go down to river and walk it. Back then, you didn't even want to spend 5 minutes near it.

[jennifertarin]

Where Battery Park City is now used to be a beach in the 70s. I have swum in the Hudson River, but never in or around NYC and always north of where GE duped the PCB's in the water. The Hudson, East River, Potomac and Anacostia Rivers are all healthier now than at any time in the last 50 years.

[from]

I imagine how beautiful the hudson was before we f**ed it up

[andyArt]

I had a friend who fell in the Hudson in the 80s. He never came out. We held a empty casket funeral and everything.
Years later we found out he was taken in by C.H.U.D.S. and he’s doing great! He’s married with two beautiful kids, he got his degree in subterranean law online and he even has his own practice!
Miss you Mikey!

[Andrew]

I live north up in the Hudson Valley and swim and tube in the river every summer and have been doing so since I was little. Can't say I have ever gotten sick or experienced any side effects, for lack of a better word.

[JeffinBville]

I grew up in that city and it wasn't until the early 2000s before people thought it safe(r) to swim in NY harbor. But it is a tidal harbor so if you're swimming when the tide is coming in then you're getting a dose of fresh ocean water.

[jedwalker]

NYC also has some of the best tap water I’ve ever tasted. Yet people give it crap all the time

[China]

Watching while I’m above the Hudson River in board the Staten Island ferry

[johnhaxby]

this is great to know! now if you can do something about the occasional smell

[flowerpt]

8.7 out of 8.8 million people live in fear, especially of swimming in the Harbor or East River.
Watch out for the cruise ships, folks.

[TheAdamChampagne]

i Live in a city on the Hunsdon that dumps hundreds of gallons of raw sewage every time it rains. i would never consider swimming downstream

[sshhii]

this applies to any body of water. Rainstorms will cause runoff/brown water which attracts sharks. If the water isn't clear, it's not a good idea to swim.

[jimcordell]

My grandchildren and I went swimming in the Ohio River downstream from Cincinnati. Everything you said is also true of the river as well.

[wei]

That office view is amazing, makes me want to work for you guys, makes it worth coming into office in today's WFH society. Although I think I might not be too focused at work, instead staring at that view most of the day

[LiDARs]

How does this channel afford that office space?

[UltimateAzumanger]

Original title: Is It Actually Safe To Swim In New York Harbor? - Cheddar Explains

[hamburgerhamburgerv]

Hudson River Valley person here. If you drink from that damn river, you’ll grow 4 arms.

[justlivinginthematrix]

I took a dip in the river when I was around 7… had to get shots the next day. And I was 30 miles upstate from Manhattan!