COLUMBIA, S.C. —
After nine years, repair work continues on the Columbia Canal. On the anniversary of the 1,000-year flood that damaged the canal, City of Columbia leaders gave an update on several major projects.
“We are proud to announce the major progress on our efforts to repair not only the damage to this historic canal and this historic hydro plant, but the investment in multiple projects that make us stronger and more resilient,” Mayor Daniel Rickenmann said.
The 2015 flood severely damaged the Columbia Canal, with a major embankment breach and damage to the headgates.
Mayor Daniel Rickenmann and other city officials held a press conference Friday next to the canal to detail several projects that will soon get underway.
“Our recovery would not be complete without each of these three projects. We like to refer to it as our three-legged stool of resilience, and again, we're not stable, and we're not where we want to be unless we construct and complete all three of these projects,” said Clint Shealy, an assistant city manager with Columbia.
Repairs will begin next August on the embankment where the breach occurred. The existing embankment will be removed, and the breach area will be reconstructed. The city’s hydroelectric plant will also be renovated. At the same time, the canal’s headgates will be prepared or replaced.
The third project is the resilient water supply, which will provide a new water intake on the Congaree River. It will supply up to 80 million gallons of water daily, minimizing reliance on the canal.
The canal is Columbia's main water supply, and some residents are hopeful that a secondary water supply could be provided.
“We need to provide services for those people, and water is a very basic commodity that people can't live with[out]. I think that one of the reasons why we have authorities in cities to provide those services for our citizens,” said Carlton Larmon, a West Columbia resident.
The resilient water supply project will start at the beginning of December, and construction will last 30 months.
“These projects highlight the ability for the Columbia Canal projects to meet, exceed recovery, rebuilds," said Stephen Batson with the S.C. Emergency Management Division. "This project also showcases the strength, the determination of the city of Columbia to rebuild in the face of challenges. It not only addresses immediate needs by repairing the critical infrastructure, but it also looks forward to the future.”
Mayor Rickenmann says the total recovery funding will be around $120 million, of which $100 million will come from federal and state agencies.
City officials will open bids for the resilient water supply project next Thursday. This will be the first step in the construction.