Brooklyn’s Most Infamous Waterway Is Full of Secrets
Once a toxic dumping ground, the Gowanus Canal is now at the center of one of NYC’s boldest neighborhood transformations. Discover its weird history, polluted past, and hopeful future.
You’ve probably heard of Central Park, the Brooklyn Bridge… but the Gowanus Canal? Not so much.
Tucked between Park Slope and Carroll Gardens, this 1.8-mile-long waterway was once one of the most polluted bodies of water in America. But today, it’s becoming something else entirely: an unlikely blend of toxic legacy, urban renewal, and weird charm.
🧱 A Canal Built on Industry (and Waste)
The Gowanus Canal was carved out in the 1860s to turn the tidal Gowanus Creek into a shipping route for Brooklyn’s booming industrial age. For decades, factories dumped chemicals, coal tar, and raw sewage straight into the canal. The water turned black. The smell? Legendary.
In short: this was NYC’s dirty workhorse—and it paid the price.
🦠 Declared a Superfund Site
In 2010, the Gowanus Canal became one of the EPA’s official Superfund cleanup sites. Why?
Because tests revealed that the sludge at the bottom of the canal was filled with carcinogens, heavy metals, and pathogens. Some locals call it “black mayonnaise.”
The EPA began a $1.5 billion cleanup process that continues to this day, including dredging the toxic muck and installing stormwater tanks to prevent future overflows.
🖼️ Art, Industry, and Real Estate Collide
Despite (or maybe because of) its grimy rep, the Gowanus area is full of life. Old factories have become art studios. Breweries and climbing gyms line the canal’s edges. And the real estate boom is real—luxury condos are rising where warehouses once stood.
But the contrast is sharp: one block might host a poetry reading, while the next smells like sulfur.
🐟 Wait… Fish?
Believe it or not, fish have been spotted in the canal. Herons too. The cleaner water is attracting wildlife, and while it’s still not safe to swim in (seriously—don’t), signs of rebirth are everywhere.
🕵️ Secret Spots to Explore
- Carroll Street Bridge: One of NYC’s only remaining retractable bridges.
- Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club: Offers occasional guided canoe tours—yes, on the actual canal.
- Whole Foods Rooftop: Catch a surprisingly scenic view of the canal while munching on snacks.
- 4th Street Basin Murals: Look for street art installations along the water’s edge.
🧭 Visiting the Gowanus Canal
You can easily reach the Gowanus neighborhood by walking west from Park Slope or taking the F/G train to Carroll Street. Most of the canal’s best views are accessible from streets like Bond, Nevins, and 3rd Avenue.
👉 View on the NY Fact Exchange Map
💬 Final Thought
The Gowanus Canal isn’t beautiful in a traditional sense—but it might be one of the most honest parts of New York. It’s a place where the city’s industrial past, environmental reckoning, and creative energy all collide.
Next time you want to see a different side of Brooklyn, skip the skyline and visit the sludge.