Description

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Context

April 2025 helicopter crash near Jersey City during a sightseeing tour over New York has reignited concerns over rotorcraft safety especially phenomenon of mast bumping in light helicopters like Bell 206.

Hudson River

Feature	Details
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)

Mohawk River

Feature	Details
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

Rondout Creek

Feature	Details
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

Wallkill River

Feature	Details
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

Croton River

Feature	Details
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

Esopus Creek

Feature	Details
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

Major Rivers of United States

River	Length (km)	Origin	Terminus	Key States Covered	Significance
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

Mast Bumping in Helicopters

Feature	Details
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

For more such articles, please refer to IAS GYAN

Sources:

NEWS 18

PRACTICE QUESTION

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