Event Description
At this edition of Tapping our Watershed, Adam Levine, historical consultant at the Philadelphia Water Department, will present, “From Creek to Sewer: History of Topographical Change in Philadelphia.”
Levine will present an overview of the fascinating history of Philadelphia’s many lost streams. Illustrated with a wide range of graphic materials including paintings and drawings, maps and plans, photographs and surveys, this talk stretches across the breadth of the city's long history and highlights how, over the course of several centuries, most of the city's surface streams have been channeled underground and incorporated into the city's 3,000 mile sewer system.
Adam Levine has served as historical consultant to the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) since 1998 where he manages the PWD Historical Collection, and also maintains an extensive website of watershed and water supply material. In addition to presenting at a variety of conferences, universities, high schools, and neighborhood groups, Levine also works as a consultant and is an award-winning writer, with an extensive background in newspaper, book and magazine work. In a related career path, he writes about gardening and is the author of many articles and four books, including Gale Nurseries: Four Generations of garden Excellence (2008), and A Guide to the Great Gardens of the Philadelphia Region (2007).
Tapping our Watershed is a monthly science café in Philadelphia that brings lovers of water science together for conversations with top experts in the field. Formerly known as the Delaware River Watershed Initiative Seminar Series, these talks are sophisticated enough for the experienced scientist but formatted for the casual guest who is interested in tapping into watershed issues on a deeper level. You can expect to hear engaging talks ranging from water policy and management to indicator species and pollutants, with a stimulating Q&A to follow each presentation.
Tapping our Watershed is held the third Monday of the month at National Mechanics at 6 p.m. The talks are intended for individuals 21 or older, but those under 21 can come with a chaperone who is at least 25. Tapping our Watershed is sponsored by the William Penn Foundation. |
