The Big Apple's Big Wet: How Many Bodies of Water Lurk in NYC?
Ah, New York City. The city that never sleeps, the concrete jungle where dreams are made of... and apparently, a whole lot of swimming is done? Buckle up, folks, because we're diving headfirst (metaphorically, of course, the sanitation department frowns upon actual headfirst dives) into the murky depths of a question that's plagued philosophers for decades (well, maybe not decades, but it's definitely crossed a tourist's mind or two): just how many bodies of water are there in New York City?
Now, some might scoff. "Isn't that obvious?" they scoff, probably while munching on a stale bagel. "It's an island, surrounded by water!" Hold your horses, scoffers! NYC is a complex beast, a glorious archipelago of five boroughs, each with its own watery personality. We're talking oceans, rivers, bays, harbors, and even some very fancy ponds with remote-controlled sailboats.
The Big Leagues: Oceans, Bays, and Harbors
Let's start with the heavyweights. The Atlantic Ocean herself kisses the shores of Brooklyn and Queens, offering surfers epic wipeouts and kayakers a chance to pretend they're Lewis and Clark. Then there's New York Harbor, a bustling aquatic metropolis where ferries zip between boroughs and the Statue of Liberty gives tourists a side-eye for getting a little too close. We also have Upper New York Bay and Lower New York Bay, which, let's be honest, sound like rival gangs in a bad mafia movie, but are actually just… well, bays.
The Supporting Cast: Rivers and Creeks
Now we're getting down and dirty (metaphorically, again). The Hudson River, majestic and mighty, separates Manhattan from New Jersey (sorry, New Jersey). The East River acts like a sassy little cousin, dividing Manhattan from Queens and Brooklyn. And let's not forget the Harlem River, which, despite its name, doesn't lead you to Harlem by water (geography is hard, folks).
Bonus points if you can name a NYC creek that isn't Newtown Creek (hint: it involves a very angry fictional turtle and a lot of ooze).
The Oddballs: Ponds, Lakes, and Other Wet Stuff
Central Park takes center stage here. We've got the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir (try saying that five times fast), a man-made marvel that provides stunning city views (and a great workout if you decide to run around it). Then there's the Harlem Meer, a much smaller body of water that's more of a wildlife refuge than a swimming pool (trust me). Central Park also boasts a delightful assortment of ponds, each with its own quirky charm (and debatable cleanliness).
So, how many bodies of water are we talking about?
The answer, my friends, is like a good New York pizza: it depends on who you ask and how you slice it. If you count every puddle after a summer rain, you're probably looking at millions. But if we stick to named bodies of water, a quick internet search (because who has time for actual research in this city?) suggests somewhere between 20 and 50.
The important takeaway? NYC has enough water to keep you cool, provide stunning views, and maybe even inspire a spontaneous rendition of "I Will Survive" while kayaking in the East River (just don't blame us if you get a rogue wave).
