Urban Divers Gowanus Monitors

THE URBAN DIVERS GOWANUS CANL/ERIE BASIN MONITOR PROJECT

POLLUTION ON THE GOWANUS CANAL... work-in progress

... What is dumped in our urban estuary ends up in our dinner plate.

POLLUTION ON THE GOWANUS CANAL HABITAT- site in progress

Gowanus Canal History

"The Flushing Station"

Contaminated Sediment of the Canal

Combine Sewage Outfalls

Our Trash

In dust trees grow on the Canal

ERIE BASIN

Leaching of concrete and cement sediment off barges, sediment run offs, and dumping along the bulk head of several aggregate industries along the canal are common occurances. Contaminants Documented throughout 2002 til present.

View from underwater. An area approximately 30 yrds by 15 yrds is covered by mounds of dumped gravel. In the adjacent, areas the bottom of the canal is hardened by concrete and sediment run-off. Documented Oct/Nov. 2004.

Thermal Discharge at a basin along the canal. A hose is placed along one end of the bulkhead to siphen water from the canal, approx 30ft along the same bulkhead, another hose is placed to discharge contaminated brown or greyed colored water or hot water.

Along many locations along the canal. Mounds of debris are placed stories high and is pushed to the very edge of the water. In the event of rain and wind, these debris are dumped into the canal, and contaminated aflluents are discharged into the canal, impacting its natural resources. At one locationthe continuous dumping of debris is beginning the fill its adjacent basin. from 2002 til present. Last documented May 2005.

Oil slick documented in 2002- march thru Nov- 7 out 10 trips of the Gowanus Canal. Photographed by The Urban Divers Gowanus Monitors

Oil slicks are observed 75% per cent of the time during monitoring. The slicks can run from 40 to 75 yrds along the canal. There are two oil depository sites localated along the Canal. Coloration in the oil slick show an indicator of heavy metals that are present.

Chemical spill documented in the Gowanus Canal, early Summer 03.

Dead duckling. Dead Fish. Pollution on the Gowanus Canal causes harm to marine life in the canal. Contaminants renders the surface water hypoxic ( very little dissolved oxygen, avg 1.5-2.0 ppm/mgl)and mostly anoxic ( No dissolve oxygen)at depth. This condition may cause "fish kill" and is very common during warm weather seasons, and well as when the pumping station is shut down. Documented June 2004.

WARNING!... These environmental violations can lead to fines from $5,000 to $25,0000 and up per day, including criminal procecution. Best environmental practice and management is good business.

What we dump in the Gowanus Canal will end up in our dinner plate!

Schools of stripped bass is commonly spotted in the canal during cooler weather months. As the water temperature drops, the dissolve oxygen (DO)level in the canal increases. Any where between 5.6 mg/l to 8.5 mg/l. Underwater images documented in the fall of 2004 and surface pics in the fall of 2003.

Juvenile, Oyster Toad Fish ( common stapple fishery), Winter Founders ( common stapple fishery), Sea Robbin, documented from our traps in April 2005. ( Fish Species Population and Documentation Project).

Horseshoe crab of the Gowanus Canal- Horseshoe crabs are know to have existed for more than 40 millions yr, and haven't change much since the age of the dinausors. There are only 3 species of this creature on the entire planet. Only one of the species is found in North America. The other two species are found in Asia. In Japan the horseshoe crab ( Kabutogani)is considered a national treasure. Its blue blood is used to test the purification of medicine all around the world. The Horseshoe crab has no relations to the crab. In fact it is more closely related to the spider. Now, as their numbers are rapidly declining, there are being considered an endangered species. Their lost could effect bird migration in the northeast, as their eggs provide a food source for many of these migrating birds. UDEC has documented a numbers of horseshoe crab in the Gowanus Canal each year.

EDUCATIONAL and INVESTIGATIVE CRUISE of the Gowanus Canal, and Newtown Creek, WITH CITY OFFICALS and REPRESENTATIVES OF LOCAL BUSINESSES, a collaborative project with the River Keepers. Getting a little help to mediate the most aggregious pollution on the Gowanus Canal and Newtown Creek. Harbor School Intern helps with water quality sampling in a mini lab aboard our volunteer conservation vessel "CleanWater". NYC" . The Urban Divers Estuary Conservancy provides a tool, and the basic science that assist community members civic leaders, local businesses, teachers, parents, students, as well as the local press and becoming more informed and active participants in the policy decision making process that affects the natural resources of our waterfrontand the quality of life in our neighborhoods. .... TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

The Urban Divers Estuary Conservancy program is made possible in part with the generous support of its members and community volunteers like you.

BECOME A MEMBER VOLUNTEER TODAY! HELP RECLAIM, RESTORE, CONSERVE and PROTECT THE NATURAL RESOURCES OF OUR WATERFRONT.

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