A group of cownose rays has been observed swimming in Newtown Creek, a heavily polluted waterway in New York City, sparking optimism that environmental remediation efforts are beginning to succeed.
The sighting, shared by the Newtown Creek Alliance, marks the first time rays have been documented in the creek, which has historically served as a dumping ground for industrial waste. Experts are investigating the exact reasons for the rays' presence but view it as a potentially significant indicator of ecological recovery. The rays, native to the western Atlantic Ocean, were traveling together, which suggests their presence is more than a random occurrence. Willis Elkins, executive director of the Newtown Creek Alliance, told Gothamist that such group sightings often signify the availability of food in the area.
Newtown Creek, situated between Brooklyn and Queens, has been one of the most contaminated waterways in the United States since the mid-1800s, receiving toxic effluent from refineries and other businesses. A major contributing factor to its pollution was the Greenpoint oil spill, discovered in September 1978. This spill, one of the largest in U.S. history, released an estimated 17 to 30 million gallons of oil and petroleum products into the creek over several decades. Although the primary sources of this pollution have been addressed, the area's waste treatment systems are still overwhelmed by heavy rainfall, leading to the discharge of raw sewage into the creek.
In recognition of its severe contamination, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designated Newtown Creek as a Superfund site in 2010, initiating a long-term cleanup process. These efforts have included initiatives like restoring the local oyster population to help naturally filter the water. Despite ongoing progress, the water quality remains a concern, and the EPA extended its cleanup deadline for the creek from 2023 to 2032 in 2022.
This year, 2026, has seen other notable wildlife reappearances in the creek, according to Elkins. Horseshoe crabs have been observed in tributaries with even poorer water quality, and eels have also been sighted. The presence of these species, alongside the recent ray sighting, offers tangible evidence that the extensive cleanup operations may be leading to a healthier ecosystem in Newtown Creek.