The Hudson river is found in New York.
It is split into two sections, the Upper Hudson and the Lower Hudson River.
The River flows a length of 315 miles, where the average lowest depth is 30 feet and the deepest point is 202 feet.
It is not just a river, it is a waterway, where salty seawater meets fresh water running off the land.
There are plenty of iconic attractions alongside the river for tourists to see and explore!
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So… Are There Sharks in the Hudson River
The short answer to this question is yes and no.
The first key point to understand is that most species of shark only live in saltwater and are unable to tolerate freshwater.
In some cases, the sharks may even tolerate brackish water.
However, the exception to this rule is river sharks, who have adapted to living in freshwater.
The second key point to understand is that the Hudson river is an estuary.
Wondering whether the Hudson River is a saltwater or freshwater river?
Well, it’s certainly unique.
Firstly, it’s a tidal estuary for approximately half of its length, which means that the river ebbs and flows with the tide.
Secondly, it’s both freshwater and saltwater.
Saltwater feeds into the river on one side and meets with fresh water from the northern tributaries.
From the mouth of the Hudson River, on New York’s side, where water feeds in from the north and south to the Federal Dam in Troy, which is approximately 153 miles in distance, the Hudson River is tidal.
The total length of the river is 315 miles long.
The freshwater river starts in the Adirondack Mountain Range, at Lake Tear of the Clouds, which is located at the base of Mt. Marcy.
From here, the river spills into New York harbor and eventually leads to the Atlantic Ocean.
The estuary starts at the Troy Dam and extends into the ocean.
At its base, in the Andorak Mountain Range, the river is freshwater, which leads to brackish water when the fresh and saltwater meet, and eventually salt water, where the river leads into the Atlantic Ocean.
While it is rare to find a shark in the Hudson River, there have been several sightings over the years.
Sharks may swim into the estuary from time to time but won’t travel far up north, due to the freshwater.
According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conversation, there are a number of shark species that live just off of the New York City coastal region, with some species of shark that may use Long Island estuaries during the summer months as nurseries.
And, if these sharks make use of the Long Island estuaries, there’s a relatively good chance that some of the shark species may do the same with the Hudson River estuary.
There have been a few sightings, with some claiming to have seen bull sharks in the river, as well as reports of smooth dogfish sharks and spiny dogfish sharks.
These are three species of sharks that are common along New York City’s coastline.
Is it Safe to Swim in the Hudson River?
Many people swim in the Hudson River.
It’s a popular destination for visitors and those that enjoy jet skiing, water skiing, and other water activities.
Furthermore, many athletes take part in the annual New York City Triathlon, which requires a portion of the race to be completed by swimming in the Hudson River.
However, there are many reasons to avoid swimming in the Hudson River.
Pollution is one of the key factors which should deter people from swimming in the river.
According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), and a US Geological Survey, several parts of the river are polluted with toxic compounds, including cadmium, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
The water quality in these portions of the river is compromised.
The water in the river is evaluated regularly for safety and warnings not to swim in certain portions of the river are issued to residents and visitors.
Another reason to avoid swimming in the river, especially if you are not a good swimmer, is the chance of drowning.
There have been several reports of drawings at various parts of the river over the years.
In addition, there are strong currents in the river which may pose a very serious threat to swimmers and may cause drownings as well.
There is another factor that may pose a threat to swimmers and a reason that swimmers should avoid swimming in the river.
Especially downstream from active dredges.
Boat traffic and operating equipment may pose a threat to the safety of swimmers.
There are parts of the Hudson River that are safe to swim in.
Swimmers should always exercise caution when swimming in the river.
Interesting Shark Facts about the Hudson River
Here are some interesting facts about the reported sharks present in the Hudson River.
The bull shark
The bull shark is found worldwide in coastal areas where the water is warm and shallow.
Bull sharks are able to swim in fresh water and it is not uncommon for a bull shark to swim upstream in freshwater rivers.
This is possible due to their special glands and kidney functions that allow their bodies to retain salt while they swim in freshwater.
Bull sharks are listed as near threatened.
Smooth dogfish sharks
Smooth dogfish sharks hunt crustaceans and mollusks.
They have flat, grinding teeth that enable them to catch their prey.
They use their flat teeth to grind their prey.
These sharks are approximately 48 inches in length and are considered to be harmless to humans.
They prefer the warm water of the western Atlantic.
These sharks are nocturnal and considered to be opportunistic hunters and scavengers.
Spiny dogfish sharks
The Spiny dogfish sharks reach a maximum weight of 22 pounds and a maximum length of 4.5 feet.
The Pacific Spiny dogfish shark can live up to 80 years in the wild, while the Atlantic Spiny dogfish can only live up to 35 to 40 years of age.
These sharks got their name from their hunting methods.
They prefer to hunt in packs, much like dogs.
The female of the species reaches sexual maturity at the age of 35 while males reach sexual maturity at the age of 19.
Most species of sharks can be found in saltwater.
Research suggests that sharks prefer salt water to fresh water because they are unable to stay afloat in freshwater.
Sharks tend to be less buoyant in fresh water and do not have a swim bladder.
This is a gas-filled organ found in most bony fish that helps them to float.
Sharks do, however, have large livers which help to prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the ocean.
Sharks require salt in the water in order to live.
Many sharks have not adapted to freshwater and cannot swim in it due to the lack of salt in the water.
If they are unable to retain the salt inside their bodies, they will bloat and die.
However, there are sharks, such as the bull shark and the bow shark, that have adapted to swimming in freshwater and are able to thrive in freshwater much like other sharks thrive in salt water.
Sharks have a preference when it comes to water temperature.
Reportedly, sharks prefer warmer waters up to 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
One of the main reasons for this is that sharks are cold-blooded and their body temperature is regulated by the temperature of the water that they swim in.
The interesting part is that there are reports that suggest salt in water may alter how warm or cold we perceive water to be and that fresh water feels approximately two to three times cooler than salt water.
Hence, sharks may perceive fresh water to be cooler than their desired temperature, which may also affect their ability to swim.
3 Safety Tips for Swiming in Shark-infested Waters
- Stay away from locations where there is high activity of seals. Seals are almost always an indication that there are sharks nearby. It would be safest to avoid swimming in these waters at any cost. Especially when more dangerous sharks, such as the bull shark, are present in the water.
- Avoid shark-infested water at dawn, dusk, or at night. These are known times that sharks feed. In addition, avoid murky water or water with steep drop-offs. These are areas where sharks are known to be present.
- Never go swimming alone. Always swim with other people in the areas that have lifeguards. In addition, try not to swim at the edge of the group. And, do not splash or make too much movement in the water. The shark may confuse the movement with that of a seal and attack unprovoked.
Summary
The Hudson River is an estuary and a river.
At the base of the river in the Andorak Mountain Range, flowing south, you will find fresh water.
The water meets with salt water that spills in from the Atlantic Ocean into the estuary on New York City’s side and meets halfway up the 315-mile-long river.
Most sharks are only present in salt water as they do not have any special physiological adaptations to survive in freshwater.
However, bull sharks are an exception to this rule.
There are various different species of sharks, including the bull shark, that live in the coastal waters of New York City.
It is not uncommon that some of these sharks may, from time to time, make their way up the estuary.
In fact, there have been several shark sightings in the Hudson River, with many of these sightings believed to be bull sharks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far up the Hudson do sharks go?
There have been several shark sightings in the Hudson River over the past several years.
It’s not uncommon for a shark to swim up to 100 miles up a river.
When there are sightings in the Hudson River, warnings are sent out as far as Poughkeepsie.
While most sharks can only survive in saltwater, there are some, like the bull shark, that have special physiological adaptations, that are known to travel in brackish and freshwater as well.
Why does New York have so many sharks?
New York City has a total of 520 miles of coastline.
Sharks prefer swimming in warmer waters and, due to climate change and warmer waters on the coast of New York, as well as bait fish, more and more sharks are finding their way to the coastline.
Have there been any fatal shark attacks in the Hudson River?
There have been reports of fatal shark attacks in the coastal regions of New York, but no fatal shark attacks have been reported in the Hudson River area.
We saw a harbor seal near wappingers falls . Had a manatee swim up towards kingston years ago, another seal likes to go up there. Its connected to the ocean . I think dolphin and whale have accidentally got in the hudson . Yes sharks have too !
Bull Sharks do not discriminate…
A gentleman fishing off the pier below the Westside Highway at 72 street today snagged a small two foot shark..No doubt about it ..It had all the exact features but I do not know what species it was..Wow I do think I will be taking a swim in the river anytime soon