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FACT SHEET-Bronx River, New York

Federal Navigation Channel Maintenance of Infrastructure and Stewardship

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District
Published Feb. 1, 2024

DESCRIPTION: This navigation asset empties into a shallow bay at the north shore of the East River, about 11 miles by water northeast of the Battery, New York City; and provides for a channel, 10 feet deep and at least 100 feet wide, from East River to the dam at East 177th Street, including the widening of bends. The first dredging included a section from the East River to Randall Avenue 200 feet wide, thence a section to Spofford Avenue 150 feet wide, thence a section to Watson Avenue 125 feet wide, thence a section to the railroad bridge near Westchester Ave 100 feet wide, except to 140 feet wide in south approach to the bridge; thereafter 100 feet wide to head of navigation. Total length - about 3.3 miles, navigable for 2.6 miles.

AUTHORIZATION:  Rivers and Harbors Act of 1913 (P.L. 62-429).

COMMERCE: In 2021, the annual commercial freight traffic reported for this this navigation asset was approximately 305,000 tons, compared to a five-year (2017-2021) annual average of approximately 335,000 tons, and consisted primarily of iron & steel scrap, and sand & gravel.  There are three known commercial facilities on this waterway, two of which, ship scrap metal by barge to processing facilities in Jersey City, NJ, and Port Newark, NJ, and also a concrete processing plant, which receives barge deliveries of sand & gravel.      

BACKGROUND: The channel was last maintenance dredged by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in Fiscal Year (FY) 1991, when approximately 64,000 cubic yards (CY) of dredged material was removed and disposed of at the former Mud Dump Site in the Atlantic Ocean.                 

STATUS: In FY2024, funds are being used for commonly performed Operations & Maintenance (O&M) work, including initiation of engineering & design work; in preparation for future maintenance dredging, subject to availability of funds.  Production of a hydrographic channel condition survey, and publication of a controlling depth report on the District’s website (https://www.nan.usace.army.mil/Missions/Navigation/Controlling-Depth-Reports/) is also scheduled for FY2024. 

CONTACT:

Divyesh Patel
Asset / Project Manager
P: (917) 790-8582
Email:  divyesh.g.patel@usace.army.mil
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District
26 Federal Plaza
New York, NY 10278
http://www.nan.usace.army.mil



District Area: NY # 14