Navy Yard in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Water, Water Everywhere
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 2, 2018
Before the city developed roads, buildings, and sidewalks, rain would soak into the ground. There plant roots would take up the water they needed to thrive. Modern urbanization, however, paved over and covered the ground with impermeable surfaces and removed vegetation. As a result, heavy rains can overwhelm the city's combined sewers causing sewage and other pollutants to overflow into our rivers.
Here at the park, under the plantings, pavilions, and walkways, lies a network of storm drain pipes, storage tanks, pumps and filtering systems. Using these techniques, Canal Park directs stormwater away from combined sewers, and reduces urban pollution to the Anacostia River. The park not only takes care of stormwater from its own boundary, but also collects, filters and reuses stormwater from adjacent properties. Most of the stored water is used for irrigating the park. The water is also used for the fountains, the ice rink and for toilet flushing. In this way, the amount of stormwater and pollutants that end up in the sewer system — and our rivers — is minimized.
Erected by Canal Park, Capitol Riverfront, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, One City, District of Columbia Housing Authority.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 38° 52.596′ N, 77° 0.202′ W. Marker is in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Navy Yard. Marker is on M Street Southeast near 2nd Place Southeast. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 202 M Street Southeast, Washington DC 20003, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 1925 (within shouting distance of this marker); Ship's Propeller / Airplane Propeller / Truck Wheel (within shouting distance of this marker); Taxiway Guidance Sign / Crossing Gate and Flashing Light Signal / Channel Marking Buoy (within shouting distance of this marker); 1932 (within shouting distance of this marker); 1922 (within shouting distance of this marker); 1937 (within shouting distance of this marker); 1927 (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named 1932 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Southeast Washington.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 2, 2018
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 2, 2018
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 2, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 128 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 2, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.