Aquatic Culture

– where water serves art and society

The Spirit of Avalon (Part I)
Although completed in 2003 and outlandishly opulent, the story behind this project by designer/builder Mario Abaldo has never been told out of respect for the client’s privacy concerns. More than two decades later, he’s finally ready to share arguably his most magnificent work. ...
Swimming in Gravy
Kevin Cobabe knows how to enjoy the good life. Among his favorite indulgences, gravy stands alone. A self-described gravy connoisseur, as well as an accomplished pool designer/builder, he sees a parallel between his favorite culinary pursuits and his work creating places devoted to liquid luxury. ...
16 Fascinating Factoids About Water Molecules
The water molecule is one of the most intriguing known to science, with physical characteristics that literally and figuratively shape our world. But how much do we really know about the molecule that comprises roughly two thirds of our bodies?  Here are some amazing molecular factoids. ...
Tipón Engineering: Masterpiece of the Incas
In September 2024, Watershape University organized a tour of Machu Picchu, the famous ruins nestled high in the Peruvian Andes. It was a dynamic journey of personal discovery with numerous fascinating revelations along the way, including the many ways the Incas controlled and utilized water. Here’s a look at one of the tour’s main highlights – a unique and mysterious place known as Tipón.  ...
Voices from the Deep End of Darkness
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Curse of the Manchac Swamp
The Manchac Swamp is far more than just a wetland; it is a place where history, culture, and nature converge to create one of Louisiana’s most mysterious places. Its legends of ghostly trains, voodoo curses, and menacing beasts are woven into the fabric of local folklore, while its natural aquatic beauty continues to captivate visitors from around the world. ...
Klamath River: Historic Dam Removal and Restoration
It’s the largest dam-removal project in U.S. history. The Klamath River, once controlled by four dams, is once again flowing free unimpeded by manmade structures after more than a century. Here’s a look at this massive undertaking, and why nature and people stand to benefit. ...
Seaweed Secrets
In summer 2023, seaweed drew widespread concern and media attention as a giant “blob” of sargassum invaded Florida as well as parts of the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. Despite the bad press, messy beaches and pungent odor, a look beneath the surface reveals a vast world of diverse complexity, beauty and practical potential. ...
For the Love of Sea Turtles
Are sea turtles medicine? To survive, sea turtles need our help and are the perfect group of animals for Wildlife Conservation Therapy, which helps us in return, explained the late Wallace J. Nichols in this widely read essay on the importance of sea turtles. ...
Peace & Pleasure at the Water’s Edge
Working for one of the leading pond suppliers and builders in the U.S., Jennifer Zuri has seen countless examples of beautiful, naturalistic watershapes. When it came time to installing a pond for her and her family, even with all her experience, she wasn’t completely prepared for the positive impact it would have on their lives. ...