River Levels Drop in Columbia, But Caution is Key
Columbia, SC – After the powerful winds and heavy rains brought on by Hurricane Helene last week, river levels in the Columbia area have taken a dip and are slowly returning to normal. However, local officials are urging residents to exercise caution and stay away from the rivers until the situation is fully under control.
Safety First: Stay Out of the Water!
Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott, along with Columbia Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins, took to the public spotlight on Thursday evening to remind everyone that river access remains closed within the county. Their message was clear: “It is not safe for residents to be in the rivers; Dominion and Santee Cooper have structures in the river which makes it extremely dangerous.” This warning comes in light of the ongoing recovery efforts, and they ask folks to adhere to the advisory, urging people not to cross or move any barricades that are in place.
A Navigational Hazard
In a social media update from the Congaree Riverkeeper, a concerning development was reported: a Santee Cooper transmission tower had collapsed into the Congaree River downstream of Interstate 77. This added a new layer of danger for anyone thinking of venturing out onto the water. The Riverkeeper advises, “People should avoid this area as the lines and structure may cause a navigation hazard.” Santee Cooper is already working on plans to remove the tower and restore safe conditions over the next several weeks.
Cleanup Efforts Underway
As cleanup efforts continue, riverwalks and river access points in both Cayce and West Columbia remain closed. It was a challenging week for these areas; the riverwalks that run along the Lexington County side of the Congaree River were underwater earlier this week as the river crested at a jaw-dropping 30.5 feet on Monday, not far from the record levels set during the infamous “1,000-year flood” in 2015. The Congaree Riverkeeper reported that the riverwalks in Cayce and West Columbia are “all a mess and will take a while to get cleaned up.”
Progress on Columbia’s Riverfront Park
On a brighter note, Columbia’s Riverfront Park and its riverwalk trail along the Columbia Canal, which is situated much higher than the trails on the other side of the Congaree, reopened this past Thursday. Water levels continue to fall as the region dries out from the storm’s aftermath. As of Friday morning, the Congaree River had receded to just over nine feet. Meanwhile, the Saluda River, which saw its levels rise above seven feet when Dominion Energy opened a spill gate at Lake Murray, also showed signs of recovery, measuring a bit over six feet now.
Good News for the Broad River
The Broad River, which notoriously crested higher on Monday than it had during the historic flood of 2015, thankfully dropped by more than 10 feet as of Friday morning. This reduction is certainly a relief for local communities along the riverbanks, who have been anxiously watching the water levels throughout the week.
Stay Informed!
As local officials continue their cleanup and recovery efforts, it’s essential for residents to stay informed. Keep an ear out for updates and news about river conditions and safety advisories. Your safety is the number one priority right now, so please take these warnings seriously as work continues to make the rivers safe again.
Remember, staying out of the water is not just advice; it’s an important step in keeping our community safe during this recovery period!
