Hudson River Valley
© Steve Stanne | Hudson River Estuary Program Canoeists on the Hudson
The Hudson River estuary extends from the Troy dam south to the Verrazano Narrows and the surrounding watershed and is also known as the Hudson River Valley. It includes the 153-mile-long, tidal, main stem of the Hudson River, as well as upper New York harbor, the Hudson’s tributaries and the upland areas of the Hudson Valley, encompassing 5,200 square miles of the river’s overall 13,400-square-mile watershed.
The Hudson River estuary has long been recognized as a valuable state and local resource, as well as an integral part of the North Atlantic coastal environment. The estuary serves as a spawning and nursery ground for important fish and shellfish species, such as striped bass, American shad, Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon and blue crab. More than 200 species of fish are found in the Hudson and its tributaries. The estuary contains the only significant acreage of tidal freshwater wetlands within the state. These wetlands, along with the river's brackish tidal wetlands and stands of submerged aquatic vegetation, provide essential habitat that supports the Hudson's rich and biologically diverse web of life. The Hudson Valley is particularly important globally for its diverse assemblage of turtles. In addition, 20 pairs of bald eagles are nesting and raising their young along the shores of the river. The estuary also serves as an important resting and feeding area for other migratory birds such as osprey and a variety of songbirds and waterfowl.
Conservation in the Hudson River Valley
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© Steve Stanne | Hudson River Estuary Program (Old Wooden Ship in the Hudson)
Hudson River Valley - Conservation Summary
The Hudson estuary serves one of the most densely populated areas in the country, stretching from the Troy dam south to the Verrazano Narrows and encompassing the entire surrounding watershed.
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© Steve Stanne | Hudson River Estuary Program (Coxsackie Creek)
Hudson River Valley - Conservation Priorities
While it's important to think of the entire Hudson River Valley as an interconnected watershed, certain areas and aspects of the Valley are essential to preserve the health of the whole system. Learn more about these priority areas and efforts to protect them here.
