Area Map & Photos - Gowanus Canal

Choose the Cameras Along the Water Body Project Area of Gowanus Canal
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Gowanus Canal Photos I 1 I 2 I 3 I 4 I

Gowanus Canal, originally know as Gowanus Creek, is located near the Carroll Gardens, Red Hook, Cobble Hill, and Park Slope neighborhoods of western Brooklyn. It is generally bounded by Third Avenue to the west, Smith Street to the east and Butler Street to the north. The Canal begins at Butler Street and extends southward to a drawbridge at Hamilton Avenue where it broadens into Gowanus Channel, which is then connected to Gowanus Bay and Upper New York Bay. The Canal is approximately 7,500 feet long, 100 feet wide, with a depth ranging from 4 to 16 feet at mean low water. There are several turning basins branching off the east side of Gowanus Canal that extend approximately one city block. Gowanus Canal is an estuarine waterbody with a semi-diurnal tidal cycle varying between 5 and 7 feet. There are no freshwater sources other than stormwater and combined sewer overflows during wet weather. Gowanus Canal is a classified as a Class SD waterbody with a best use of fishing. A flushing tunnel is operated by the City of New York to artificially circulate water through Gowanus Canal by drawing water from Upper New York Bay into the head end of the Canal. Gowanus Canal is primarily bounded by commercial and industrial land uses. Waterbody and waterfront uses are primarily commercial and industrial to serve local businesses with limited recreational boating. There are no developed parks adjacent to the canal although local community groups and organizations are improving access and developing end-of-street green areas.