WASHINGTON D.C., DC —
Tuesday was the official unveiling of a new art project designed to bring awareness to the dangers of flooding.
The piece, located at the Wharf in Southwest, D.C., is called the High Water Mark, depicting both the historical flood levels and the potential future flood levels that could occur that that site.
“The focus of the High Water Mark art installation is really to educate the people of DC about the risks of river flooding, but also about how to be resilient and prepare for that kind of flooding," said Patrick Revord, the director of communications for The Wharf.
The piece was created by artists Curry Hackett and Patrick McDonough.
“When we first started this project, we weren't really sure how this was going to end up," Hackett said. "But it's really exciting to see people respond to it in the way that they'd been for an effort as important as flooding.”
The sculpture, made to look like floating buoys, shows the water levels from flooding events in 1936, 1937, 1942 1972, 1985 and 1996. It also shows the markings for the potential 100 and 500-year flood events. The 100 or 500-year flood levels are calculated using computer models, and have a 1-in-100 or 1-in-500 chance of occurring.
The art is located on the walkway between the Fish Market and Rappahannock Oyster Bar.