Gil: the reactive fish for water quality

Creator: EPA and the United States Geological Survey (USGS)|Art form: Visual arts|Knowledge valorisation : Outreach|Place: Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana,USA|Location : Offline|Target group: General public|Domains: Climate Action and Environment|Duration : Permanent

Artistic display of scientific data

Challenge: How to raise awareness and teach locals and visitors about water quality and critical coastal issues facing south Louisiana?

“Gil” is a reactive fish sculpture that translates water sensor measurements into colour (its ribcage colour represents salinity concentrations, and its base colour indicates algae concentrations) and motion (change of height with the water turbidity and tail paddling faster or slower to reflect dissolved oxygen levels).


Lake Pontchartrain is frequently used by residents of the greater New Orleans area for both recreational and commercial activities. Its New Canal Lighthouse serves as a museum and education centre for the community and has worked together with EPA and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to install water sensors taking hourly measurements and display their results in an informative manner, with the help of Gil.

Resources needed

Installation of sensors (algae, chlorophyll, dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, specific conductance, salinity, turbidity, nitrates).
Sculpture.

Purpose of artistic intervention

Gil displays complete and important information and an easy way for everyone to understand it and adapt their behaviour.

Positive impacts

Gil has notably attracted families with young kids, that liked to interact with the sculpture. Local teachers have also used Gil by bringing their pupils to the sculpture and using it as an inspiration in their schools.