Can You Swim In Hudson River? In theory, yes, but access points are few and far between and it’s generally not recommended. Boating traffic, debris, waste, and bacteria levels also pose a danger.
The Hudson River is a beautiful body of water that runs through New York City, and the surrounding area. It’s also historically home to some deadly creatures, including sharks! But don’t worry – those days are long gone.
The Hudson River used to be a dumping ground for all sorts of waste, including raw sewage. It was filled with dead animals and other nasty things that you don’t want anywhere near your body or the water you drink!
New York State voters approved a billion-dollar Pure Waters Bond Act in 1965 to finance sewage treatment. Until 1986, when the North River sewage treatment plant started operations, 150 million gallons of raw sewage a day reached the river off Manhattan.
For most of the Hudson River, the New York State Health Department suggests that children and women of childbearing age avoid eating fish and that others reduce their fish intake.
The dangers to animals and people who consume infected fish prompted the U.S. the environmental protection agency also ordered a restoration of the hudson river north of troy, which began in 2009. the port of new york and new jersey, which produces billions of dollars in economic development and employs over 228,900 people, necessitates dredging to widen channels and berths.
Antibiotics and hormones used in medications and personal care items are among the latest pollutants discovered by researchers in the flow. an investment of almost one billion dollars has been made in the hudson valley, just south of new york city.
Is it illegal to swim in the Hudson River? In addition, contrary to popular opinion, recreational swimming in the Hudson is not prohibited. Swim organizers perform their own water tests prior to each meet, and Riverkeeper tests samples once a month between May and October at 74 locations in the Hudson River estuary.
Why are you not allowed to swim in the Hudson River? The most important thing to remember while swimming in the river is to stay away from dredging activities and areas with boats and boat traffic, according to the health department. Swimming in murky or discolored water should also be avoided because it can contain more microorganisms and impair the ability to see hazards.
A Long Island woman seen in a TikTok video jumping into the water near the Statue of Liberty says she didn’t worry about whether the water was contaminated, but she also says she doesn’t regret it and wouldn’t do it again. According to NYC’s clean water advocacy organization Riverkeeper, there are areas of the river that are less safe to swim around in, such as near stormwater pipes where contaminants, oils, bacteria, and garbage runoffs leak into the river when it rains.
Riverkeeper has not only advocated for safe water in the Hudson for decades, but it also monitors the water quality along the river on a regular basis. After exiting the lake, you can wash off the river water and dirt. Despite the fact that environmental and health authorities say swimming in the Hudson is generally healthy, Paysepar says she wouldn’t do it again because the water was gross.
Is the Hudson River dangerous? The deeper, well-mixed part of the river away from its shores would have generally met safe swimming criteria, except near and downstream from combined sewer overflows (CSOs) in the Capital District and New York City.
Can You Swim In Hudson River – Related Questions
Why is Hudson Bay not a sea?
Hudson bay is not a sea because it is a large bay that extends well inland.
Hudson River is not the same as Hudson Bay, which is why you can swim in the river but not in the bay.
The idea of being able to swim in something named after such an important body of water may be unappealing at first glance for many people. However, there are multiple rivers located throughout New York City and most of them have some sort of designated area where one could go swimming.
The Hudson River isn’t any different from these other bodies of water because swimmers enjoy taking advantage of its clean waters on hot summer days during times when lifeguards aren’t working on duty or even if they’re available.
Why is the Hudson River toxic?
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has advised residents and recreational users not to enter or play in waters affected by a toxic algae bloom.
The continued presence of blue-green algae can produce toxins that may impact people’s health through skin contact, ingestion, and inhalation (NYSDEC).
Swimmers should avoid water with visible clumps or mats of floating filamentous green material—this could be a warning sign for cyanobacteria growth. Cyanobacteria releases an array of natural chemicals called exotoxins that affect human bodily functions such as liver function, nerve function, blood clotting ability, wound healing ability etc.
Knowingly entering into such water can lead to serious health concerns.
Towns like Newburgh have issued warnings advising people not to enter waterways until they are deemed safe again by officials (NBC News).
Is there poop in the Hudson River?
During periods of heavy rain storms, and with the help of sewage overflow systems that are not functioning properly at this time (New York Times), feces from humans and animals will get washed into storm drains in cities along the Hudson River such as Newburgh.
This can lead to potential contamination of water sources nearby (Hudson Valley).
Fecal bacteria is a major concern for people who have compromised immune systems or pregnant women because it poses health risks like gastroenteritis which causes diarrhea, vomiting etc.
Water near local beaches should be avoided if there is any fecal contamination until officials issue an all-clear notification saying so (NYSDEC)
The best way to avoid these bacterial threats altogether would be to avoid entering the water entirely during periods of elevated water levels (NYSDEC).
