NYCWaterTrail, 251 Clermont Avenue, New York, NY (2026)

05/30/2026

Week 4 of Community Water Quality Testing and so far we have collected 203 samples together this year! 💙💦🦠

With 2.03 inches of rain falling in Central Park, Week 4 is our wettest week of the season. However, 3 days of dryer weather before samples were collected leaves only about 35% of reporting sample sites with single day enterococcus numbers that would cause a beach closure by NYC Department of Health standards, down from nearly 70% after last week’s cloudburst. So with a clear weekend ahead, go out and enjoy the water!

See the results: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gzcubnJi3hFtwWpwNBFg1YsP5lIg1aJtRDGqyNXM6DY/edit?usp=drivesdk

Did you know? CWQT has a new headquarters at the Queens Landing Boathouse! All our partner labs use the IDEXX Enterolert system to monitor enterococcus bacteria. Each sample is diluted and placed in a ‘quanti-tray’ to quantify the most probable number (MPN) of enterococcus using a UV reactive nutrient indicator that gets metabolized by the bacteria.

CWQT is still seeking samplers for select sites this season. If you are interested in sampling along the shoreline of Fort Washington Park or North Brooklyn, send us a message!

05/27/2026

Get ready for Sail GP, coming to New York May 30-31! 🚦⛵

A temporary Special Local Regulation (SLR) will be in place from 12 pm on May 30 through 630 pm on May 31 that covers the area west of Governors Island. This regulation will be enforced between 12 pm and 630 pm on May 30 and May 31, with times subject to change.
The regulated areas will be designated via colored visual markers. Within this regulated area, there will be an "Event Area" (illustrated in red) and a "Transit Only Area" (illustrated in green).

🛑 No vessel or person will be permitted to enter, transit through, block, or loiter within the “Event Area” without obtaining permission from the COTP or their designated representative. A “Race Area” will be established within the "Event Area" based on prevailing weather conditions and is strictly restricted to registered race participants and official safety and support personnel.

🟢 A “Transit Only Area” is established to allow non-event traffic to safely bypass the event. Vessels in this zone must maintain continuous transit. No vessels may stop, loiter, remain, or anchor in the “Transit Only Area” during the period of enforcement.

In the event that weather conditions prevent or delay a safe race start, the public will be notified of changes to the enforcement period through marine broadcasts, Local Notice to Mariners, or by on-scene designated representatives.

05/23/2026

It was a wet Week 3 of Community Water Quality Testing ahead of a wet Memorial Day weekend. ⛈️🏖️

With beaches opening and the recreational boating season kicking off, the start to summer fun seems overshadowed by this Wednesday’s cloudburst and a rainy forecast. Though Central Park only recorded .24 inches of rain this week, JFK Airport’s rain gauge clocked 1.1 inches on Wednesday, compared to Central Park’s .09 inches.

This variance in rainfall around the Harbor could explain why most of our sample sites in Manhattan came back with clean results this week. Week 3 had the least amount of recorded rainfall in Central Park this season, but also holds the season record for highest percentage of sites with single day results that would trigger a beach closure according to NYC Department of Health bacteria standards, impacting about 65% of reporting sample sites.

See the results here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gzcubnJi3hFtwWpwNBFg1YsP5lIg1aJtRDGqyNXM6DY/edit?gid=0 =0

According to the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, the city's sewer system is designed to handle up to 1.75 inches of rain per hour— some parts of the City saw rainfall at rates equivalent to 6 inches per hour on Wednesday night. The City’s overwhelmed sewer system causes both flooding and combined sewage overflow.
Did you know? FloodNet NYC maintains a map to where you can track flooding events in real time throughout the City.

05/21/2026

With the water temps nearing 60°, boathouses across the city are opening their doors to paddlers of all ages and experience levels! 🚣‍♀️🏄🏼🌊

🛶 Our boathouses are the lifeblood of the NYC paddling community - connecting us to the water and each other. There's something for everyone: whether you're looking for a fun weekend activity or want to learn a new skill, find a program in your neighborhood.
🤝 Many boathouses are also volunteer-run organizations, meaning getting involved also gives you access to more paddling, and a community of water-loving friends!

📍Check out the list below for a program in YOUR neighborhood and opening dates. Those marked with a ⭐ also provide advanced instruction!

BROOKLYN:

Kayak at Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse (May 27)
Kayak at the Gateway National Recreation Area (June 11)
Canoe with the Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club (May 14)
Kayak & SUP with Kayak Foundation (June 8) ⭐
Kayak and Canoe at North Brooklyn Community Boathouse (June) ⭐
Kayak with the Red Hook Boaters (June)
Paddle, Row and Sail with the Sebago Canoe Club (May 16) ⭐
Sunset Park Boathouse (stay tuned!)

BRONX:

Canoe with the Bronx River Alliance (June 6)
Row and Sail with Rocking the Boat (May 16)
Kayak with the Touring Kayak Club

MANHATTAN:

Kayak with Inwood Canoe Club (May 24) ⭐
Row with Harlem River Community Rowing (April) ⭐
Row with Row New York (also operates in Queens and Brooklyn) ⭐
Kayak & SUP at Manhattan Community Boathouse (May 23)
Canoe with New York Outrigger (May 23) ⭐
Kayak & SUP with Manhattan Kayak Company (May 2) ⭐
Play kayak polo with New York Kayak Polo ⭐
Row with Village Community Boathouse (May 10)
Kayak at Downtown Boathouse (May 23)

QUEENS:

Kayak & Row with Long Island City Community Boathouse & East River Crew (May 17)
Kayak at the Gateway Bike & Community Boathouse (June)
Join a Dragon Boat team in Flushing Bay

STATEN ISLAND:

Kayak with Kayak Staten Island (June)

NEW JERSEY:

Kayak & SUP at Hoboken Cove Community Boathouse (May 23) ⭐
Canoe with Ke Aloha Outrigger (May 23) ⭐
Kayak and SUP with Resilience Paddlesports (June) ⭐

05/19/2026

It's Safe Boating Week! With warming temps and the summer nearing, it's the perfect time to get ready to spend some time on the water!🚣‍♀️🏄🏼⛵

1. Get your permit 🧭
Using the Water Trail launches requires a permit from the NYC Parks department. Pick up yours for $15 from any Parks permit office or mail in the application.

2. Check your gear 🛶
Now is a great time to make repairs, replace worn out equipment and make sure your safety gear is ready to do its job! ALWAYS wear a PFD on the water, carry a VHF radio (turned on) and signaling device in case of an emergency.

3. Make a plan 📝
Check the weather and tides BEFORE you get on the water, understanding what to expect will help make it a fun and safe outing. File a float plan with a friend - where you are going and when you will be back.

4. Paddle safely 🦺
Go with a friend (you'll have more fun) and know how to recover from a capsize. Avoid piers where there may be underwater obstacles, or fishing lines.

5. Know the rules 🛳️
NYC's waterways are busy and paddlers share the water with many different types of vessels, large and small. Understand maritime regulations and learn to navigate around commercial traffic. Check out our Shared Waters map to discover high traffic areas around the city: https://nycwatertrail.org/shared-waters-map/

This week we'll be highlighting the many ways to make the most of the NYC Water Trail - whether you are new to paddling or a regular, there is always something to discover!

05/16/2026

Welcome to a drier Week 2 of Community Water Quality Testing! ⛅

After only .28 inches of rain, most of which falling earlier in the week, we are seeing a significant increase in swimmable single day results compared to Week 1. Only 38% of the 45 reporting sites experienced bacterial levels that would warrant a beach closure by NYC Health Department standards, down from 52% last week. Good news ahead of a beautiful weekend! 😎

See the results: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gzcubnJi3hFtwWpwNBFg1YsP5lIg1aJtRDGqyNXM6DY/edit?gid=0 =0

In a few more weeks, once 5 samples per-site have been collected in a 30-day period, it will be possible to calculate geometric mean data that can be compared to a larger set of State and City water quality standards.

05/09/2026

It's sampling season! 2026 is the 15th of the CWQT program and the first under the new leadership of SWIM Coalition! 🎉🌊

After .5 inches of rain this week, much of which fell within 24 hours of our sampling period, 52% of our 36 reporting sites experienced bacterial levels that would warrant a beach closure by NYC Health Department standards.

With more rain forecasted for the weekend many of our sample sites are sure to see increased enterococcus levels over the next few days. Stay up to date with models and alert systems set up by local municipalities– you can sign up for New York City’s Notify NYC alert program to receive news about waterbody advisories, or New York State’s NY Alert program to receive CSO alerts and other spill notification as part of the Sewage Pollution Right to Know law, and check in on New Jersey’s CSO modeling map which fulfills similar legal notification requirements.

See this week's results here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gzcubnJi3hFtwWpwNBFg1YsP5lIg1aJtRDGqyNXM6DY/edit?gid=0 =0

🧪 This year’s CWQT line up includes about 75 sample sites, processed across 11 different labs - SWIM Coalition is still doing outreach to new and potential samplers. If you signed up to sample and have not yet heard back, please be patient!

It's not too late to get involved - if you would like to sample this season at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Gowanus Canal, or other sites around the Harbor please fill out this form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc9MGqbWMD_OdeVLnOMLRHU4xRGbBjI8d5Mctq-LPbTF6yx5A/viewform

05/03/2026

📢 ATTENTION BOATERS! With the restoration of funding to the Gateway Project, construction is once again active on the Hudson River Ground Stabilization and Tunnel.

🛑 An expanded safety zone is now in place as the construction and cofferdam shift east. No vessels, except for vessels involved in the construction activities, are allowed to enter into, transit through, or anchor within the safety zone unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port.

🚧 All mariners shall transit to the west of the safety zone and are reminded that special attention should be paid to potential damage caused by their own wake. Hudson River Community Sailing vessels and human-powered vessels transiting directly to or from Pier 66 may transit through the southern area of the safety zone to the east of the southeast buoy.

🧭 Four seasonal white lighted danger buoys have been reset, as noted on the chart. A reminder that the presence of the cofferdam creates fast currents and eddies: keeping outside the danger buoys is the safer option. Plan your transits accordingly, and be aware of the increased traffic in the western side of the channel.

To seek permission to enter, contact the COTP or the COTP’s representative on VHF-FM channel 16 or by telephone at (718) 354-4353.

04/29/2026

Get ready to clean your rivers! Saturday, May 2 is the 15th annual Riverkeeper Sweep! 🌊

Since 2012, this annual event has removed nearly 400 tons of trash from our shorelines and waterways, while supporting healthy ecosystems by removing invasive species and planting native plants. 🌱

📍There are organized cleanups in all five borroughs - check the list below and the map to find your nearest site! Registration may be required - check out Riverkeeper or the organizer for details.

🚣‍♂️ Or if you're hitting the water this weekend, consider picking up any trash or flotsam you come across at your launch site or out paddling! Every little bit counts.

04/22/2026

Water is what connects us... Happy Earth Day! 🌎

🌊 The New York City Water Trail was born from the idea of our waterways as a public resource – and a public space for recreation and enjoyment. What began as just a dozen or so launch sites has expanded into a network that spreads across all five boroughs, transforming the city's rivers into paths of exploration.

In our built-up and modernized city, points where we can reach the water are rare – for a shoreline that was once defined by salt marsh and sand, much is now hardened by bulkheads and piers. Retaining our connection to the water is a reminder of how much of our rivers and streams have been made invisible.

Streams and brooks once criss-crossed the city and while most have been long buried, their presence continues to be felt. Water continues to flow where it once did – fresh water, flood waters and storm run-off follow the same contours, whether they are now above ground or below.

Understanding where these "Ghost Streams" flow is important to a variety of concerns, from flood mitigation to water quality. Increasing pathways for storm water to drain naturally (through efforts like rain gardens, shoreline restoration projects and other green infrastructure), without overwhelming the sewer system means fewer CSO discharges during wet weather. And testing programs like CWQT demonstrate that springs and brooks that escape diversion into the sewer system can actually have a positive effect on water quality, by introducing clean water at their outflow sites.

As examples, sites like Bush Terminal Park, Paerdegat Basin, Flushing Bay or Tibbets Brook show us the impact – and the opportunity – to be gained by reclaiming this lost network. Follow and support organizations working towards more sustainable water management: Riverkeeper, NYC Soil & Water, NYC H2O, Floodnet, SWIM Coalition, Newtown Creek Alliance, Gowanus Canal Conservancy, Bronx River Alliance, Guardians of Flushing Bay and many more!

NYCWaterTrail

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