Taken across the street from Joe Frank Harris Commons, this photo shows the Lily Branch Watershed. A fairly basic image of the water flow, it illustrates the relative closeness of the watershed to a major part of campus.
What is so striking about this photo is the way the architecture of the surrounding human-made facilities was designed to take into account the watershed. The sidewalk gently bends to avoid the water; the roads are actually bridged over the water; the sheer amount of engineering required to build a structurally sound area with a watershed running underneath is astounding to me. To cap it all off, it’s right in the heart of the East Campus region, yet the architecture around it is designed such that no one even realizes the water had any sort of influence on its final layout.
Some might see this photo as an example of the lush and beautiful greenery found across our campus. I agree with those people. It makes me think about and truly appreciate the natural wonder that surrounds the many buildings and green-spaces on our campus.
When I look at this picture, I feel at peace. I love to explore nature (generally when it’s not so hot out) and take pictures and enjoy the scenery. That’s what I get from this image. It’s a peaceful brook in a large cluster of green trees. What could be better and more relaxing on a hot summer day (other than a cool breeze…)!
I think this picture is about the amazing potential blend between the natural and the man-made. Being situated in East Campus, the watershed is certainly not far from a lot of human activity and construction. Yet, despite this juxtaposition that seemingly has been lost in most big cities, the two merge into such a peaceful and beautiful sight (and its civilized!), as the water gently flows towards the Oconee.
