Length

507 km (315 miles)

Origin

Lake Tear of Clouds, Adirondack Mountains, New York

Mouth

Upper New York Bay at The Battery, NYC (joins Atlantic Ocean)

Main Tributaries

Mohawk River (largest), Rondout Creek, Wallkill River, Croton River, Esopus Creek

Major Dams/Locks

Troy Dam, Federal Lock at Troy, Ashokan Reservoir (linked to tributaries)

Important Cities Along

Albany, Poughkeepsie, Yonkers, New York City

Historical Significance

Explored by Henry Hudson (1609) vital for commerce during colonial & industrial eras

Environmental Concerns

PCB pollution (GE cleanup), habitat degradation, salinity intrusion

Parks & Attractions

Hudson River Park (NYC), Bear Mountain State Park, Walkway Over Hudson

Hills/Ranges

Catskill Mountains, Hudson Highlands

Tidal Nature

Tidal up to Troy, NY (causes saltwater intrusion & reverse flow near NYC)

Length

243 km (151 miles)

Origin

The confluence of West & East Branches near Schroon Lake, Adirondacks, New York

Mouth

Junction with Hudson River at Cohoes, New York

Key Cities/Regions

Schenectady, Amsterdam, Troy, Albany (confluence with Hudson)

Tributaries

Schoharie Creek, Kaydeross Creek, Batten Kill & others

Significance

Important for transportation, trade & industrial activity during 19th & 20th centuries

Dams

Conklingville Dam (on Great Sacandaga Lake), Cohoes Falls Dam

Historical Importance

Central for Erie Canal, aiding link between Great Lakes & Atlantic Ocean

Environmental Concerns

Pollution from industrial runoff, loss of wetlands, invasive species (zebra mussels)

Parks & Recreation

Mohawk River State Park, Peebles Island State Park, recreation for boating, fishing & hiking

Length

56 km (35 miles)

Origin

The Catskill Mountains, near town of Shokan in Ulster County, New York

Mouth

Flows into Hudson River at Kingston, New York

Key Cities/Regions

Kingston, Hurley, Esopus

Tributaries

Bostwick Creek, Black Creek & others

Significance

Provides water to city of Kingston, historically part of Delaware & Hudson Canal system

Dams

Rondout Reservoir (provides water to New York City)

Historical Importance

Vital in transportation of coal & goods in 19th century

Environmental Concerns

Water quality issues, invasive species like Japanese knotweed

Parks & Recreation

Kingston Point Park, kayaking & fishing opportunities along creek

Length

120 km (75 miles)

Origin

The Shawangunk Mountains near Pine Bush, New York

Mouth

Flows into Rondout Creek (which joins Hudson River) near Kingston, New York

Key Cities/Regions

Wallkill, New Paltz, Gardiner, Kingston

Tributaries

The Roundout Creek, Wappinger Creek & others

Significance

Flows through fertile agricultural lands of Hudson Valley, contributing to local economy

Dams

No major dams on river, though it is part of water supply networks for local communities

Historical Importance

Used for farming irrigation & recreation & served as a route for early European settlers

Environmental Concerns

Pollution from agricultural runoff, residential development & urbanization

Parks & Recreation

Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, hiking, fishing & wildlife viewing

Length

30 km (19 miles)

Origin

Croton Falls Reservoir in Westchester County, New York

Mouth

Flows into Hudson River at Croton on Hudson, New York

Key Cities/Regions

Croton-on-Hudson, Ossining, Peekskill

Tributaries

Titicus River, Muscoot River

Significance

Provides water to over 9 million people in New York City (part of New York City water supply system)

Dams

Croton Dam (located at outlet of Croton River)

Historical Importance

Part of New York City reservoir system (constructed in 19th century)

Environmental Concerns

Water quality preservation, effects of urban development & pollution

Parks & Recreation

Croton Point Park, swimming, hiking, birdwatching & picnicking opportunities

Length

73 km (45 miles)

Origin

The Catskill Mountains near village of Phoenicia, New York

Mouth

Flows into Hudson River at Kingston, New York

Key Cities/Regions

Phoenicia, Kingston, Mount Tremper

Tributaries

Bushkill Creek, Stony Clove Creek

Significance

Vital for local economy in terms of water, tourism & recreation

Dams

Ashokan Reservoir (on its tributaries, important water source for NYC)

Historical Importance

Served as an important waterway for early settlers & helped in New York water supply

Environmental Concerns

Polluted runoff, sedimentation in reservoir, invasive species

Parks & Recreation

Slide Mountain Wilderness, hiking, fly fishing & paddling opportunities

Mississippi

3,766

Lake Itasca, Minnesota

Gulf of Mexico

MN, WI, IA, IL, MO, etc.

2nd longest, major economic corridor

Missouri

3,768

Rocky Mountains, Montana

Joins Mississippi River

MT, ND, SD, etc.

Longest river in US

Colorado

2,330

Rocky Mountains, Colorado

Gulf of California (Mexico)

CO, UT, AZ, NV, CA

Grand Canyon carving, Hoover Dam

Columbia

2,000

British Columbia, Canada

Pacific Ocean

WA, OR

Hydroelectric power, salmon migration

Rio Grande

3,051

San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Gulf of Mexico

CO, NM, TX (US-Mexico border)

Border river, irrigation

Hudson

507

Adirondacks, New York

Upper New York Bay

NY

Historical, economic, ecological role

Definition

Contact between rotor hub & rotor mast during extreme low G maneuvers or turbulence

Helicopter Type Prone

Mainly semi rigid, two bladed systems (e.g. Bell 206)

Causes

Low G flight, abrupt cyclic control input, turbulence, improper pilot response

Consequences

Blade separation, tail boom strikes, in flight breakup

Notable Accidents

Multiple Bell 206 crashes over decades; 2024 Hudson crash suspected case

Preventive Measures

Avoid low G maneuvers, rigorous pilot training, rotor design improvements

Investigating Agency

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in USA

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Hudson River has been a geographical, economic & historical backbone of northeastern United States. Discuss its evolution & current challenges.?