At Low tide during 1998, metal garbage is uncovered by the Carroll Street Bridge of the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn, NY. The aea was cleaned out during the during the city-led 1999 cleanup effort that involved repairs to the flushing tunnel and a partial dredging at the head of the waterway. The results were immediate with an increase in fish and wildlife. The divers had challenging conditions, coming out covered in oil and tar and working conditions with no visibility underwater.

Junk including bicycle revealed at low tide in the Gowanus Canal in 1998 beneath the Carroll Street bridge. A city-led 1999 cleanup effort involved repairs to the flushing tunnel and a partial dredging at the head of the waterway. The results were immediate with an increase in fish and wildlife.

Inside the Pump House at the head of the Gowanus Canal at Baltic Street in Brooklyn in 1999, during the city-led 1999 cleanup effort that involved repairs to the flushing tunnel and a partial dredging at the head of the waterway. The results were immediate with an increase in fish and wildlife.

Dredging in the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn, NY, brought up muck laced with environmental toxins as a school bus crosses the Third Street Bridge during the city-led 1999 cleanup effort that involved repairs to the flushing tunnel and a partial dredging at the head of the waterway. The results were immediate with an increase in fish and wildlife.

Dredging the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn, NY, during the city-led 1999 cleanup effort that involved repairs to the flushing tunnel and a partial dredging at the head of the waterway. The results were immediate with an increase in fish and wildlife.

A backhoe dredges the bottom of the Gowanus Canal in an enclosed area by the Union Street Bridge in 1999. Sewage flowed into the canal as early as 1858, and by the 1880’s the waterway had gained the moniker “Lavendar Lake” for its odorous qualities. The current cost of the overall EPA Superfund cleanup plan is estimated to be over $1.5 billion, and the entire project won’t be completed until mid-2023.

A shovel full of Gowanus 'mayonnaise" is lifted from the water of the Gowanus Canal during the city-led 1999 cleanup effort that involved repairs to the flushing tunnel and a partial dredging at the head of the waterway. The results were immediate with an increase in fish and wildlife.

Diver prepares to enter the Gowanus Canal during the city-led 1999 cleanup effort that involved repairs to the flushing tunnel and a partial dredging at the head of the waterway. The results were immediate with an increase in fish and wildlife. The divers had challenging conditions, coming out covered in oil and tar and working conditions with no visibility underwater.

Diver climbs ladder out of the Gowanus Canal completely covered in Black goo during the city-led 1999 cleanup effort that involved repairs to the flushing tunnel and a partial dredging at the head of the waterway. The results were immediate with an increase in fish and wildlife. The divers had challenging conditions, coming out covered in oil and tar and working conditions with no visibility underwater.

Diver out of the Gowanus Canal completely covered in Black goo being hosed off. during the city-led 1999 cleanup effort that involved repairs to the flushing tunnel and a partial dredging at the head of the waterway. The results were immediate with an increase in fish and wildlife. The divers had challenging conditions, coming out covered in oil and tar and working conditions with no visibility underwater.

Diver is covered in oil and muck after leaving the water of the Gowanus Canal during the city-led 1999 cleanup effort that involved repairs to the flushing tunnel and a partial dredging at the head of the waterway. The results were immediate with an increase in fish and wildlife. The divers had challenging conditions, coming out covered in oil and tar and working conditions with no visibility underwater.

A diver covered in oil gets cleaned at the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn, NY during the city-led 1999 cleanup effort that involved repairs to the flushing tunnel and a partial dredging at the head of the waterway. The results were immediate with an increase in fish and wildlife. The divers had challenging conditions, coming out covered in oil and tar and working conditions with no visibility underwater.

A diver covered in oil exits the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn, NY, during the city-led 1999 cleanup effort that involved repairs to the flushing tunnel and a partial dredging at the head of the waterway. The results were immediate with an increase in fish and wildlife. The divers had challenging conditions, coming out covered in oil and tar and working conditions with no visibility underwater.

The Brooklyn Center for the Urban Environment offers first boat cruise on the Gowanus Canal in June 1997 with executive director John Muir. They found dissolved oxygen at just 2.8 ppm (need 5ppm for fish life) and light can penetrate only 2 feet (need 6 for plant life). On board the tour was Buddy Scotto, NY Assemblywomen Joan Millman, and US Congresswoman Nydia Valesquez.

Boat tours on the Gowanus Canal with Buddy Scotto, NY Assemblywomen Joan Millman, and US Congresswoman Nydia Valesquez above the Carroll Street Bridge.

The Brooklyn Center for the Urban Environment offers first boat cruise on the Gowanus Canal in 1997 with executive director John Muir. They found dissolved oxygen at just 2.8 ppm (need 5ppm for fish life) and light can penetrate only 2 feet (need 6 for plant life). On board a tour in 2000 was Buddy Scotto, NY Assemblywomen Joan Millman, and US Congresswoman Nydia Valesquez as they pass David Lefkowitz's property beside the Carroll Street Bridge.

The Brooklyn Center for the Urban Environment offers first boat cruise on the Gowanus Canal in June 1997 with executive director John Muir. They found dissolved oxygen at just 2.8 ppm (need 5ppm for fish life) and light can penetrate only 2 feet (need 6 for plant life). On board the tour was Buddy Scotto, NY Assemblywomen Joan Millman, and US Congresswoman Nydia Valesquez.

The Brooklyn Center for the Urban Environment offers first boat cruise on the Gowanus Canal in 1997 with executive director John Muir. They found dissolved oxygen at just 2.8 ppm (need 5ppm for fish life) and light can penetrate only 2 feet (need 6 for plant life). On board a tour in 2000 was Buddy Scotto, NY Assemblywomen Joan Millman, and US Congresswoman Nydia Valesquez as they dock at David Lefkowitz's property beside the Carroll Street Bridge.

The Brooklyn Center for the Urban Environment offers first boat cruise on the Gowanus Canal in 1997 with executive director John Muir. They found dissolved oxygen at just 2.8 ppm (need 5ppm for fish life) and light can penetrate only 2 feet (need 6 for plant life). On board a tour in 2000 was Buddy Scotto, NY Assemblywomen Joan Millman, and US Congresswoman Nydia Valesquez as they pass David Lefkowitz's property beside the Carroll Street Bridge.

The Brooklyn Center for the Urban Environment offers first boat cruise on the Gowanus Canal in 1997 with executive director John Muir. They found dissolved oxygen at just 2.8 ppm (need 5ppm for fish life) and light can penetrate only 2 feet (need 6 for plant life). On board a tour in 2000 was Buddy Scotto (center on gangway), NY Assemblywomen Joan Millman, and US Congresswoman Nydia Valesquez as they pass David Lefkowitz's property beside the Carroll Street Bridge.

City and state officials (including US House of Representatives Nydia Valesquez and Lt. Gen. Robert B. Flowers, commander of the US Army Corps of Engineers) tour and speak along the Gowanus Canal in 2000.

City and state officials (including US House of Representatives Nydia Valesquez) tour and speak along the Gowanus Canal in 2000.

City and state officials (including US House of Representatives Nydia Valesquez) tour and speak along the Gowanus Canal in 2000.