Water Quality
Water Quality > Hudson River Estuary Data > New York City, Hudson County & Bergen County Sites > Gowanus Canal

Gowanus Canal

Gowanus Canal
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Physical/Chemical Data

Physical, chemical and biological properties of the surface water that are measured continuously while the patrol boat is underway.

Entero Count (fecal indicator) and Rainfall

98 Samples taken

Sample Date [i] Enterococcus Count
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Entero Count

Enterococcus (“Entero”) is a fecal indicating bacterium that lives in the intestines of humans and other warm-blooded animals. It is the EPA preferred indicator for sewage contamination.

Quality Rain, day of (in) Prior Day 2 Days Prior 3 Days Prior Rain 4 Days Total Rain
Sort Sort Sort Sort Sort Sort Sort Sort
10/16/2023 1782 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.0 0.7 0.0 0.8
09/18/2023 >24196 Beach Advisory 0.9 0.1 0.0 0.0 1.0
08/21/2023 51 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.6 1.6
07/17/2023 >24196 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.4
06/26/2023 269 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1
05/01/2023 >24196 Beach Advisory 3.1 1.1 1.7 0.0 6.0
10/09/2022 20 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.7 0.9
09/09/2022 10 Acceptable 0.0 1.1 0.1 0.0 1.2
08/11/2022 20 Acceptable 0.1 0.0 0.6 0.0 0.7
07/14/2022 <10 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
06/13/2022 31 Acceptable 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.7 1.0
05/23/2022 10 Acceptable 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.7 1.2
10/25/2021 10 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
09/13/2021 10 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1
08/16/2021 31 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
07/19/2021 144 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.6
06/07/2021 51 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.7 0.3 1.0
05/17/2021 <10 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
10/13/2020 1267 Beach Advisory 0.9 0.2 0.0 0.0 1.1
09/17/2020 108 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
08/14/2020 85 Beach Advisory 0.1 1.5 0.0 0.0 1.6
07/13/2020 223 Beach Advisory 0.1 0.0 2.5 0.0 2.6
06/15/2020 <10 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
05/26/2020 30 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.8 0.8
10/07/2019 <10 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
09/09/2019 20 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.3
08/05/2019 446 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.2
07/08/2019 <10 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
06/03/2019 292 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.3
05/06/2019 41 Acceptable 0.0 1.3 0.1 0.1 1.5
10/09/2018 121 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
09/09/2018 1993 Beach Advisory 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.8
08/13/2018 >24196 Beach Advisory 0.7 0.0 2.9 0.0 3.6
07/16/2018 183 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.6 0.4 0.0 1.0
06/12/2018 52 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
05/05/2018 379 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
10/15/2017 122 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.2
09/10/2017 52 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
08/13/2017 10 Acceptable 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1
07/09/2017 108 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.0 1.8 0.0 1.8
06/11/2017 <10 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
05/14/2017 52 Acceptable 0.0 1.6 0.0 0.0 1.6
04/04/2017 12997 Beach Advisory 1.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.2
10/12/2016 52 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.6 0.6
09/13/2016 <10 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
08/14/2016 20 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.2 0.5
07/12/2016 31 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.5
06/14/2016 <10 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
05/19/2016 20 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
10/11/2015 20 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.9 0.0 0.9
09/10/2015 816 Beach Advisory 1.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.6
08/11/2015 24196 Beach Advisory 1.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.2
07/07/2015 <10 Acceptable 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1
06/10/2015 31 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1
05/11/2015 10 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
10/12/2014 106 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.3
09/07/2014 754 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1
08/11/2014 <10 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
07/07/2014 <10 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1
06/12/2014 74 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.6 1.6
05/12/2014 84 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.4
10/16/2013 63 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
09/18/2013 41 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
08/14/2013 364 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.9 0.1 0.0 0.9
07/17/2013 <10 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
06/19/2013 20 Acceptable 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.2
05/31/2013 98 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.5
11/08/2012 >24196 Beach Advisory 0.1 1.1 0.0 0.0 1.2
10/10/2012 259 Beach Advisory 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.5
09/10/2012 <10 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.4
08/13/2012 <10 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.2
07/16/2012 241 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.3
06/11/2012 10 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
05/15/2012 >24196 Beach Advisory 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.5
10/21/2011 96 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.0 1.1 0.0 1.1
09/14/2011 41 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
08/16/2011 2603 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.6 5.8 0.0 6.4
07/19/2011 1046 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1
06/27/2011 <10 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
05/16/2011 >24196 Beach Advisory 0.2 0.9 0.0 0.0 1.1
10/12/2010 >24196 Beach Advisory 0.1 1.1 0.0 0.0 1.2
09/11/2010 <10 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
08/17/2010 4884 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.3
08/09/2010 10 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
06/10/2010 882 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.9
09/02/2009 <10 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
07/15/2009 <10 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
06/19/2009 160 Beach Advisory 0.0 2.3 0.0 0.0 2.3
05/29/2009 17329 Beach Advisory 0.4 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.5
10/15/2008 20 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
07/23/2008 5790 Beach Advisory 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0
05/16/2008 >24196 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.9 1.1
09/06/2007 <10 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
08/16/2007 35 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1
07/11/2007 238 Beach Advisory 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0
06/18/2007 6 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
05/23/2007 10 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
04/18/2007 274 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.0 0.9 7.6 8.5

Entero Count (fecal indicator) and Rainfall Correlation

98 Samples taken

All Water Quality Parameters

98 Samples taken

Sample Date [i] Entero Count
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Entero Count

Enterococcus (“Entero”) is a fecal indicating bacterium that lives in the intestines of humans and other warm-blooded animals. It is the EPA preferred indicator for sewage contamination.

Quality [i] Temp (f)
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Temperature

Hudson River water temperature changes seasonally. Surface water temperature can change on small scales in the river reflecting natural and human influences.

[i] Salinity
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Salinity

Estuaries like the Hudson are where freshwaters in rivers meet the sea. Salinity tells us about the relative contribution of fresh and salt water within a particular region of the estuary. 

[i] Chlorophyll
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Chlorophyll

A measure of the amount of microscopic algae present in the water. High chlorophyll counts can mean high levels of the nutrients phosphorus and nitrogen, and the threat, or presence, of algae blooms.

[i] Turbidity
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Turbidity

Turbidity is a measure of the amount of fine particles suspended in the water. As turbidity rises, light penetration, a key factor for aquatic plants and algae, diminishes.

[i] Oxygen
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Oxygen

Oxygen concentrations in the water are closely connected to biological activities. Surface waters are typically in equilibrium with the atmosphere such that the oxygen concentration near the surface is close to fully saturated (100%).

Sort Sort Sort Sort Sort Sort Sort Sort
10/16/2023 1782 Beach Advisory 17.36 21.4 0.99 2.1 72.2
09/18/2023 >24196 Beach Advisory 22.27 22.86 8.46 n/a 31.9
08/21/2023 51 Acceptable 23.58 20.94 8.42 61.1 81.9
07/17/2023 >24196 Beach Advisory 26.36 13.65 3.74 28.3 2.8
06/26/2023 269 Beach Advisory 70.0 24.4 3.4 3.9 68.7
05/01/2023 >24196 Beach Advisory 56.9 6.7 2.0 27.2 62.8
10/09/2022 20 Acceptable 62.6 24.2 1.2 2.6 72.4
09/09/2022 10 Acceptable 76.4 26.1 2 4.7 58.7
08/11/2022 20 Acceptable 78.2 26.3 1.5 2 67.5
07/14/2022 <10 Acceptable 74.8 25 1.2 4.9 82
06/13/2022 31 Acceptable 66.4 23.1 0.7 4.4 73.1
05/23/2022 10 Acceptable 61.6 22.3 1.1 3.9 84
10/25/2021 10 Acceptable 63.986 21.31 3.86 n/a 82.7
09/13/2021 10 Acceptable 73.346 20.05 3.18 5.5 76.5
08/16/2021 31 Acceptable 75.218 23.58 2.41 5.4 58.7
07/19/2021 144 Beach Advisory 76.082 17.27 6.23 6.7 67.8
06/07/2021 51 Acceptable 67.46 22.93 0.87 6.5 75.5
05/17/2021 <10 Acceptable 57.362 21.8 0.63 14 93.1
10/13/2020 1267 Beach Advisory 62.618 26.58 1.97 2.2 67.5
09/17/2020 108 Beach Advisory 73.13 24.79 5.89 4.3 70.2
08/14/2020 85 Beach Advisory 76.208 23.61 1.73 4.5 49.5
07/13/2020 223 Beach Advisory 78.602 23.34 1.68 5.1 49.7
06/15/2020 <10 Acceptable 66.758 22.59 2.62 3.4 94.9
05/26/2020 30 Acceptable 58.748 21.97 3.83 6.5 92.7
10/07/2019 <10 Acceptable 68.288 24.8 7.52 1.6 87.4
09/09/2019 20 Acceptable 73.472 22.49 1.5 2.2 98.1
08/05/2019 446 Beach Advisory 76.1 24.02 2.99 5.1 81
07/08/2019 <10 Acceptable 71.078 22.89 1.46 6 93
06/03/2019 292 Beach Advisory 63.302 19.71 2.05 11 93
05/06/2019 41 Acceptable 55.544 17.59 2.46 7.7 107.7
10/09/2018 121 Beach Advisory 70.988 20.68 1.65 6.5 94.8
09/09/2018 1993 Beach Advisory 74.804 24.7 2.69 4 83.5
08/13/2018 >24196 Beach Advisory 75.29 19.97 1.7 7.9 72.8
07/16/2018 183 Beach Advisory 74.93 25.11 2.03 6.9 93.4
06/12/2018 52 Acceptable 67.442 23.26 1.63 8.3 104
05/05/2018 379 Beach Advisory 56.03 14.57 62.31 7 117.1
10/15/2017 122 Beach Advisory 69.026 24.41 1.91 3.3 104.5
09/10/2017 52 Acceptable 70.376 23.22 2.51 6.4 105.6
08/13/2017 10 Acceptable 75.398 23.33 2.65 6.6 98.5
07/09/2017 108 Beach Advisory 74.156 20.49 8.58 13.5 110.9
06/11/2017 <10 Acceptable 70.376 16.82 13.12 5.5 122.4
05/14/2017 52 Acceptable 57.884 15.61 6.02 10.5 100.3
04/04/2017 12997 Beach Advisory 44.6 14.29 2.29 9.9 106
10/12/2016 52 Acceptable 66.344 24.98 1.59 31.5 105.3
09/13/2016 <10 Acceptable 76.802 24.74 5 n/a 111.4
08/14/2016 20 Acceptable 82.922 23.85 45.77 24.1 169.8
07/12/2016 31 Acceptable 74.894 23.69 1.98 5.9 100.2
06/14/2016 <10 Acceptable 66.956 21.43 1.77 27.5 102.1
05/19/2016 20 Acceptable 57.506 21.81 1.92 n/a 113.2
10/11/2015 20 Acceptable 66.056 24.75 2.34 7.1 104.3
09/10/2015 816 Beach Advisory 76.892 26.38 9.47 9 100
08/11/2015 24196 Beach Advisory 75.11 20.25 3.53 9.9 84.7
07/07/2015 <10 Acceptable 75.992 20.94 4.06 4 96.2
06/10/2015 31 Acceptable 66.074 22.27 1.36 n/a 104
05/11/2015 10 Acceptable 58.478 23.37 4.14 10.6 108.3
10/12/2014 106 Beach Advisory 65.138 25.28 1.49 5.5 96.2
09/07/2014 754 Beach Advisory 76.604 24.08 18.44 6 94.8
08/11/2014 <10 Acceptable 75.452 23.78 1.3 45.7 82.3
07/07/2014 <10 Acceptable 76.784 15.76 15.37 3.7 105
06/12/2014 74 Beach Advisory 64.31 22.61 3.44 3.8 72.6
05/12/2014 84 Beach Advisory 61.322 17.43 5.46 9.4 104.2
10/16/2013 63 Beach Advisory 65.552 24.61 2.33 4.3 23.4
09/18/2013 41 Acceptable 67.784 25.57 3.76 10 7.8
08/14/2013 364 Beach Advisory 73.058 23.62 7.72 3.7 48.8
07/17/2013 <10 Acceptable 80.762 20.64 59.73 9.4 189.8
06/19/2013 20 Acceptable 70.376 15.42 5.97 13.4 86.4
05/31/2013 98 Beach Advisory 66.668 18.78 2.78 18.9 77.4
11/08/2012 >24196 Beach Advisory 54.356 11.55 3.8 38.8 66.8
10/10/2012 259 Beach Advisory 66.74 23.61 2.64 15.6 35.1
09/10/2012 <10 Acceptable 77.126 24.8 14.65 40.3 60.2
08/13/2012 <10 Acceptable 82.688 32.75 24.67 14.8 302.4
07/16/2012 241 Beach Advisory 80.42 31.94 63.58 94.8 213.8
06/11/2012 10 Acceptable 72.932 21.42 37.94 n/a 157.6
05/15/2012 >24196 Beach Advisory 63.536 15.3 6.96 57.8 85.7
10/21/2011 96 Beach Advisory 61.214 15.92 1.56 8.5 85.5
09/14/2011 41 Acceptable 75.524 10.84 27.22 9.5 142.2
08/16/2011 2603 Beach Advisory 75.002 22.62 1.39 22.1 10.7
07/19/2011 1046 Beach Advisory 77.54 22.86 49.53 18.2 154.2
06/27/2011 <10 Acceptable 74.876 15.68 34.26 28.4 185.2
05/16/2011 >24196 Beach Advisory 56.282 18.38 14.76 120.9 85.7
10/12/2010 >24196 Beach Advisory 65.75 17.45 3.55 6.7 82.8
09/11/2010 <10 Acceptable 72.248 26.54 12.09 16.7 122.3
08/17/2010 4884 Beach Advisory 77.504 25.28 19.71 11.8 51.9
08/09/2010 10 Acceptable n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
06/10/2010 882 Beach Advisory n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
09/02/2009 <10 Acceptable n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
07/15/2009 <10 Acceptable n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
06/19/2009 160 Beach Advisory n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
05/29/2009 17329 Beach Advisory n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
10/15/2008 20 Acceptable n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
07/23/2008 5790 Beach Advisory 74.246 25.67 4 6 71.6
05/16/2008 >24196 Beach Advisory n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
09/06/2007 <10 Acceptable 76.253 25.425 1.775 4.8 62.7
08/16/2007 35 Acceptable 75.974 24.92 1.205 10.75 31.55
07/11/2007 238 Beach Advisory 70.682 25.03 3.67 25.8 79.6
06/18/2007 6 Acceptable n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
05/23/2007 10 Acceptable 65.048 19.34 0.59 4.7 81.7
04/18/2007 274 Beach Advisory 45.644 10.47 0.13 50.4 96.4

Water Quality*

Acceptable (0–60) Beach Advisory (61+)

*Single sample thresholds;
Enterococcus count per 100mL

Prior Four Day Rainfall
(in inches)

Dry Weather (0–0.25) Wet Weather (0.25+)

Enterococcus is an EPA-approved fecal contamination indicator.

Samples taken by Riverkeeper, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and CUNY Queens College staff, and processed on the Riverkeeper vessel, according to the 2014 Quality Assurance Project Plan.

Rainfall data comes from wunderground.com. Wet weather is a common trigger of fecal contamination.

What do the Numbers Mean?

Water Quality scoring is based on the 2012 Recreational Water Quality Criteria from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for safe swimming. Learn More

About this location:

ALERT: This site is never safe for swimming or fishing

Brooklyn, NY
The Gowanus Canal is an industrial waterway with limited dockage for recreational boats, and some kayaking and canoeing.

The data displayed on these pages relates to the levels of sewage indicating microbes. Even though the levels on a single days can fall within acceptable levels for Enterococcus, these locations are not necessarily acceptable for swimming. Other water quality parameters not reported on this web site such as chemical contamination and floatables should cause users to exercise caution at this site.

Agencies Responsible:

NYCDEP: 212-639-9675 and NYSDEC Region 2: 718-482-4933

Tell Gov. Hochul to block invasive species at the Erie and Champlain canals
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