Distillations magazine

Unexpected Stories from Science’s Past

CSI: Gowanus—Cleaning up the Canal

Take a trip down Brooklyn’s Gowanus Canal with cartographer and citizen scientist Eymund Diegel.

Gowanus Canal
About SUPPORT OUR WORK

Cartographer and citizen scientist Eymund Diegel is tracing the natural history and hidden environments of his Brooklyn neighborhood.

“What looks like a hellhole actually has scenic potential,” says Diegel. “So you think this could be Venice. You laugh, you say, ‘This guy is out of his mind.’ But technically there is no reason why this could not be one of the prettiest spots in New York City.”

More from our magazine

Twin girls in Scottish costumes eating bowls of oatmeal at a table
DISTILLATIONS MAGAZINE

Fitter for a Stable Than a Table

A potted history of porridge.

A historical illustration depicts an experiment with a suspended person, possibly related to scientific studies or demonstrations.
DISTILLATIONS MAGAZINE

When Electricity Met Democratic Revolution

The science that animated a political idea.

A large white bird standing near a chick on a ground nest with the ocean and a ship are visible in the background.
DISTILLATIONS MAGAZINE

A Game of Cat and Mouse

A predator stalks Marion Island, and it weighs less than an ounce. Scientists are racing to stop it.

    Republish

    Copy the above HTML to republish this content. We have formatted the material to follow our guidelines, which include our credit requirements. Please review our full list of guidelines for more information. By republishing this content, you agree to our republication requirements.