Buffalo Toronto Public Media WBFO’S Eileen Buckley explored the HISTORY OF WATERWAYS. Some of the topics explored were historical moments including the Erie Canal, a boom in the port in the late 1800s, Lake Erie pollution of the 1960s, conditions and concerns about the water of the 1970s, fish and wildlife that live below our waters, the recent Buffalo River dredging, and access to our waterfront.

This series was part of the WNED PBS project “If Our Water Could Talk.” Eileen Buckley’s stories aired on Buffalo Toronto Public Media WBFO leading up to the premiere of the production in 2014.

Listen to the WBFO stories:

Listen to If Our Water Could Talk Part I: Buffalo River History by Eileen Buckley

After decades of pollution pouring into our waterways, a massive cleanup effort continues along the Buffalo River. Buffalo Toronto Public Media is examining our region's water resources in a project called If Our Water Could Talk, a special documentary that aired on WNED-TV. Buffalo Toronto Public Media WBFO's Eileen Buckley begins the series looking back to the industrial age that tainted out most precious resource.

Listen to If Our Water Could Talk Part II: Success Stories by Jay Moran

On a recent, less-than-ideal, Saturday afternoon, some hearty kayakers and fishermen were making full use of the Harlem Road/Buffalo River boat launch site. The scene would not have been imaginable a half-century ago.

Listen to If Our Water Could Talk Part III: Fish & Wildlife by Jay Moran

With its origins in the hills of Wales and Java, the Buffalo River, like most streams, begins in the highlands before flowing downhill into another body of water. Lake Erie serves as the mouth of the Buffalo River, providing the waterway with its unique character.

Listen to If Our Water Could Talk Part IV: Access to Our Waterways by Eileen Buckley and John Grant

Buffalo Toronto Public Media examined Western New York’s water resources in a project called If Our Water Could Talk. While economic development remains an important focus for the Buffalo waterfront, Buffalo Toronto Public Media WBFO's Eileen Buckley reports, so is the issue of providing access to our water.

Listen to If Our Water Could Talk Part V: The Future by Eileen Buckley and Jay Moran

After decades of missteps, Buffalo is finally experiencing a renaissance along the waterfront. Buffalo Toronto Public Media WBFO has explored life along the Buffalo River. In the final installment of If Our Water Could Talk, Buffalo Toronto Public Media WBFO's Jay Moran and Eileen Buckley explore how the city waterfront is now the catalyst inspiring future economic development being called 'Rust to Blue.'

Funding forIf Our Water Could Talkis provided by HSBC and Honeywell. With additional funding from The Joy Family Foundation, Lawley Insurance and The Baird Foundation.