Why does the East River sometimes look like it’s flowing “backwards”?
Posted on Feb 24, 2026 / Travel
Lots of people notice the water in the East River doesn’t always flow in one direction and wonder why it seems to go “backwards” sometimes. That has to do with the fact that it’s a tidal strait, not a typical river flowing from inland to ocean. The tides from the Atlantic Ocean push water in and out of the river twice each day, changing the direction of the flow. So when the tide is rising, water moves upriver, and when the tide drops, it heads back toward the ocean. This tidal action is totally normal and part of how the estuary works. Understanding the tides helps explain the currents here, which can be strong and unpredictable at times. Watching the water change twice a day is pretty cool if you’re into waterfront science.
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