Geographic context

Geographic context is critical to understanding the physical dimensions of the canal and the uses immediate surrounding it. A brief overview is provided here. More information on neighborhood characteristics can be found at the Community Board Six website or by downloading the Community District profile created by the NYC Department of City Planning.

Map created on OASIS

The Gowanus Canal is located in South Brooklyn, NY. West of the canal is the changing neighborhood of Carroll Gardens. Historically, this was a primarily Italian American neighborhood, though there are a number of newcomers. It has been through a gradual but accelerating process of gentrification, particularly along the Smith Street corridor (now Brooklyn's upscale restaurant row) and also along Court Street. East of the canal, Park Slope is primarily more affluent, white, a mix of gay/lesbian/straight households, families, a lot of kids, and also newcomers. But the area immediately around the Gowanus, in Red Hook, and in a number of housing projects including the Gowanus Houses in Boerum Hill became increasingly more African American and Latino populated in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. But that “Gowanus” neighborhood and its residents seem to be disappearing

Map created on OASIS

The land use map and aerial photo show the mix of industrial and residential uses in close proximity with a narrow, two block industrial corridor. The canal truly penetrates into the heart of several Brooklyn neighborhoods. These views also shows the lack of open space in the area, except for in Red Hook. The playing fields in Red Hook are cut off from the other neighborhoods by the Brooklyn Queens Expressway, which is elevated here as the Gowanus Expressway. The 9th Street F train is also elevated over the canal. A number of other small removable bridges cross the canal at Union St., Carroll St., and 3rd St. The Gowanus flushing tunnel pump house is located at Butler Street and the tunnel goes underground to Buttermilk Channel in the East River to circulate water and keep this dead end canal relatively fresh.

Image created on OASIS

Click here to take a photographic tour of the Gowanus Canal.

Click here to download an account of current water quality and conditions in the Gowanus Canal from the New York Department of Environmental Protection's Use and Standards Attainment project.

	Geographic context
Home Abstract Geographic Context Historic Context Gowanus Dredgers Sources Class Home	Geographic context is critical to understanding the physical dimensions of the canal and the uses immediate surrounding it. A brief overview is provided here. More information on neighborhood characteristics can be found at the Community Board Six website or by downloading the Community District profile created by the NYC Department of City Planning.
	Map created on OASIS

	The Gowanus Canal is located in South Brooklyn, NY. West of the canal is the changing neighborhood of Carroll Gardens. Historically, this was a primarily Italian American neighborhood, though there are a number of newcomers. It has been through a gradual but accelerating process of gentrification, particularly along the Smith Street corridor (now Brooklyn's upscale restaurant row) and also along Court Street. East of the canal, Park Slope is primarily more affluent, white, a mix of gay/lesbian/straight households, families, a lot of kids, and also newcomers. But the area immediately around the Gowanus, in Red Hook, and in a number of housing projects including the Gowanus Houses in Boerum Hill became increasingly more African American and Latino populated in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. But that “Gowanus” neighborhood and its residents seem to be disappearing



	Map created on OASIS

	The land use map and aerial photo show the mix of industrial and residential uses in close proximity with a narrow, two block industrial corridor. The canal truly penetrates into the heart of several Brooklyn neighborhoods. These views also shows the lack of open space in the area, except for in Red Hook. The playing fields in Red Hook are cut off from the other neighborhoods by the Brooklyn Queens Expressway, which is elevated here as the Gowanus Expressway. The 9th Street F train is also elevated over the canal. A number of other small removable bridges cross the canal at Union St., Carroll St., and 3rd St. The Gowanus flushing tunnel pump house is located at Butler Street and the tunnel goes underground to Buttermilk Channel in the East River to circulate water and keep this dead end canal relatively fresh.


	Image created on OASIS
	Click here to take a photographic tour of the Gowanus Canal. Click here to download an account of current water quality and conditions in the Gowanus Canal from the New York Department of Environmental Protection's Use and Standards Attainment project.