The Hudson River, which runs through New York, is said to have been very dirty in the past, even though it has improved a lot now. I'm not sure how long ago that was, but a quick Google search shows that the past pollution issues were indeed serious.

When the U.S. was growing industrially, there were times when factories would just dump all sorts of waste into the rivers, and thus the Hudson River was often referred to as a symbol of pollution. However, these days, while the Hudson River cannot be said to be completely clean, it does feel like there are places where people can live.

First, looking at the water quality, it is definitely different from the past as the city government continuously checks it, and visually, it is not at the level of having an oil slick floating on top. In some areas, there are many people enjoying boating and kayaking. In the summer, swimming events are even held, so at least it is not a river that is too scary to look at like it used to be. This is all thanks to improvements in wastewater treatment facilities and proper regulations. It took a long time, but the effects should be acknowledged.

That said, the Hudson River has not become clean all at once. Industrial pollutants that have accumulated in the past still remain on the riverbed, and they have entered the bodies of fish. So while fish can be caught while fishing, there are warnings to think twice before eating them.

In some areas, there are even recommendations not to eat the fish caught. Among fishermen, the talk about Hudson River fish not being tasty but rather unhealthy is not without reason. Ultimately, fishing in the Hudson River is a way to "experience New York's nature up close," not a way to "solve tonight's dinner menu."

There are days when the water looks murky. At first glance, one might think it is polluted again. However, this river naturally has that characteristic. It has a lot of sediment on the bottom and is influenced by seawater, which makes the water easily cloudy. After some rain, it gets even worse. It may not look good, but that does not necessarily mean it is polluted. However, if there is a smell or the color seems off, it is best to keep your distance.

The water temperature is also more extreme than expected. In the summer, the water gets quite warm, making it pleasant for activities. It's perfect for dipping your feet or kayaking. But in winter, it's a different story. It can get bone-chilling cold. There have been times when it has dropped close to freezing, so falling into the water in winter is not without its dangers. If you fall in, your life could be at risk. It's best not to experience the miracle of the Hudson River from the movie 'SULLY' in winter.


Nowadays, there is another issue to be concerned about. In the summer, there are times when algae suddenly increase in certain areas, and during these times, entering the water can lead to skin irritation or other problems. There are often stories of people walking their dogs and having issues after getting too close to the water. So if there are signs or warnings, it's better not to think, "It should be fine" and just avoid it.

In the end, the Hudson River has definitely improved compared to the past, but it is not clean enough to be treated carelessly. Those who know the situation keep their distance. They enjoy it as much as they can, but if they see warning signs, they take a step back.

It is a river where you can fish, enjoy boating, and is attractive enough just to walk by and look at, but we must not forget that there are still pollution issues. It is common sense to think about where the sewage from a big city like New York would flow.