Waterfalls Discovered in New York City!

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Olafur Eliasson has completed quite a feat. The acclaimed Danish artist has created a huge — and wet — public art project: The New York City Waterfalls, four waterfalls in the city's East River that were unveiled today and will be active through October 13.

Why waterfalls in the Big Apple? The artist was quoted in a press release: "The Waterfalls appear in the midst of the dense social, environmental, and political tissue that makes up the heart of New York City. They will give people the possibility to reconsider their relationships to these spectacular surroundings, and I hope they will evoke individual experiences and enhance and sense of collectivity."

It might be tricky to stop and watch the waterfalls in this busy city, but officials are making it as easy — and environmentally friendly — as possible. They can be seen on foot, by bike or by boat, and the Department of Transportation has marked suggested bike routes with a waterfall image. Circle Line Downtown is offering free boat tours to view the spectacles up close.

Actual construction scaffolding makes up the backbone of the waterfalls, and it will be reused once the Waterfalls end. The Falls run on green power, and they protect fish and aquatic life by filtering the water through an intake pool.

So where can you get in on the action? The 90- to 120-foot falls are located at the Brooklyn anchorage of the Brooklyn Bridge; the Brooklyn Piers between Piers 4 and 5; Pier 35 north of the Manhattan Bridge; and on the north shore of Governors Island.

They will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, except on Tuesdays and Thursdays, when they will run from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. The Waterfalls will be lit after sunset.

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