Urban Kayaking Through NYC’s Polluted Hutchinson River

In a recent YouTube video titled Urban Kayaking | Exploring a Polluted Industrial River in NYC, creator Two Feet Outdoors takes viewers on a sobering yet fascinating paddle through a little-known stretch of the Hutchinson River. Launching from Mount Vernon, New York, he follows the waterway south into the Bronx, navigating through a landscape dominated by industry and heavy pollution.

In his own words, he expected the river to be toxic, but was still taken aback by the scale of the contamination and even witnessed what appeared to be active pollution during his trip. Despite the environmental damage, the video captures a surprising amount of wildlife, offering a stark contrast between nature’s resilience and the industrial sprawl that surrounds it.

This urban kayaking journey highlights the often-overlooked waterways of New York City and raises questions about environmental responsibility and restoration.