‘Daylighting’ projects are uncovering long-buried urban streams

Cities across the country are “daylighting” long-buried streams to reverse the damage of aging drainage projects, National Geographic reported.

Around the turn of the 20th century, many cities pushed to eliminate standing water due to fears of widespread malaria. But in many cases, buried streams only contributed to local water pollution and flooding. Landscape architect Keith Underwood is leading a movement to uncover or “daylight” these hidden streams.

Underwood has worked on around 50 stream restoration projects on the East Coast. He says his reconstructed streams minimize nitrogen and phosphorus runoff, and are rebuilt with available natural resources rather than diverted through concrete channels.

Top image: Map of project area. (Credit: Rock Creek Conservancy)