On April 12, I biked up to Randall’s Island to take a look at the Bronx Kill, the short, narrow strait that connects the Harlem and the East Rivers. I’d heard conflicting reports about how easily small boats could negotiate it, and in particular about one extremely low bridge at the east end, under the railroad trestle. I was curious: a navigable Bronx Kill could be a great thing for human-powered boaters–a shortcut around Hell Gate, and a cool, protected inside passage from one side of the Bronx to the other.

When I got to the island, about 12:30, the tide seemed to be dead low (for reference purposes, low water at the Battery that morning was 8:46 am). At the eastern end, in fact, it was almost completely dry, with just a trickle of water running out under the aforementioned bridge–which, as it turned out, was not exactly a bridge but a twin set of arching concrete beams. Beneath the beams (which apparently carry electrical lines) there was the usual assortment of slimy rocks and old tires, and about five feet of headroom.

In short, at low water, the Bronx Kill seems to be more or less unboatable. But what about high tide?

Read the rest of this account, with stunning photos, and Professor Buchanan’s harbor and river adventures at: Bronx Kill Adventure