Maps show the land, and charts show the waters. Both are great resources for planning rowing trips and learning more about NYC rivers and harbor. Online check out NOAA.gov, the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration.

For charts of the waterways nearest to East River C.R.E.W. pictured here, see http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/12339.shtml. These are very accurate, drawn to scale, and required aboard for navigators of large ships on the water.

For other fascinating nautical charts, see the NOAA charts homepage at http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/index.html

The East River C.R.E.W.’s postcard below shows a schematic chart; while useful for information, it is not drawn to scale.

the changing face of the coastline

Humans have had a significant impact on the shoreline of New York City. The smaller freshwater streams that crossed Manhattan are gone as are most of the sandy and marshy areas along its shore.

Cars and trains cross over the river on bridges and under through tunnels. New land, filled in with dirt, concrete and buildings have been constructed where formerly there was no land there at all.

Here’s a look at the tip of the Manhattan, called the Battery, comparing a map from 1757 to one that overlays a view from 2007 – or, customize your own view

To row, learn, experience adventure, and support East River C.R.E.W., visit www.EastRiverCrew.org or our Facebook page or leave a message at (212) 427-3956