Officials from the Environmental Protection Agency are conducting dredging efforts at the Gowanus Canal.

Heavy machinery, a boat anchor and garbage are just some of the items the EPA has found while dredging the canal.

The items were pulled from the water near the 4th Street turning basin. 

Natalie Loney, EPA Community Involvement coordinator for the Gowanus Canal superfund site, says dredging helps clean the waters.

"This represents just a relatively small portion of the canal that we will be dredging," Loney says.

Large pieces of black-colored sludge are pulled from the sediment and often referred to as "black mayo" for its tar-like quality. 

The Brooklyner reports the project was put on hold in January after an issue with bulkheads causing damage.

The EPA has not yet decided what it will do with the items pulled from the waters.

Some of the items have historic value, officials say.