Effects of Pollution on the Flow of the Gowanus Canal

This paper explores how pollution affects the flow of the Gowanus Canal. Four scenarios are modeled to represent different phases of pollution remediation: no remediation, dredging and capping of the canal bottom, combined sewer overflow capture, and dredging and capping with combined sewer overflow capture. Dredging and capping of the canal bottom resulted in the greatest increase in velocity. Dredging and capping with combined sewer overflow capture resulted in the greatest decrease in pressure. This indicates that dredging and capping of the canal bottom may be the most efficient pollution remediation strategy and should be the focus of the cleanup efforts.