Silk crepe de chine, silk broadcloth, silk Indian Doupioni, silk dyes, water soluble resist, polyester batting, rayon/viscose and polyester embroidery thread

This triptych examines the changes to San Lorenzo Creek in the San Francisco Bay Area, and questions what needs to be done in the face of climate change. Over the past two centuries, humans have modified the creek for irrigation, property development, and flood control.
Before European settlers arrived, the creek meandered through oak savannah grassland.
Initially settlers farmed the land, straightening sections of the creek to maximize land use. By 1946, the first post-World War II suburbs were built (middle artwork, lower right).
As houses and highways replaced the farm fields, natural creek flooding caused problems. Encasing the creek in a narrow concrete channel solved the issue by efficiently whisking floodwaters to the bay. As the impact of climate change intensifies, relying on groundwater for water supply becomes a priority. In the past, the gravel streambeds recharged groundwater. What changes need to happen to address water needs?