Shellbank Basin

About

Shellbank Basin is a tidal waterway in Queens, New York City. Located along the waterfront of Howard Beach, the basin separates Old Howard Beach from the surrounding communities to its west and provides access to Jamaica Bay. It is one of two principal waterways in the area, along with Hawtree Basin, and is used for recreational boating and fishing. New York City's Department of Environmental Protection has also operated a water-quality facility on the basin to reduce odors and improve aquatic conditions.

The basin was created through dredging and landfilling during the development of Howard Beach in the early 20th century. The Howard Estates Development Company, established by developer William J. Howard, dredged the basin and used material removed from it to raise surrounding marshland.