Columbia, S.C. Unveils Major Improvements to Canal System to Enhance Resilience and Water Supply

Columbia Canal Improvements Announced: A Step Towards Resilience

This week, Columbia, S.C. took an important step forward in securing its future by announcing significant upgrades and improvements to the Columbia Canal. The announcement comes on the nine-year anniversary of a devastating flooding event that wreaked havoc on the canal system and caused extensive damage. City officials expressed their commitment to strengthening this vital water supply source for over 200,000 residents.

A Historic Day with a Bright Future

Columbia’s Mayor, Daniel Rickenmann, highlighted the collaborative effort between many agencies in ensuring that the future of Columbia’s water supply is not only strong but also resilient. “Where we are here today is a lot of hard work with a lot of agencies working together to ensure the future is much stronger and more resilient,” Rickenmann stated during the announcement at EdVenture Children’s Museum.

Images from the floods in 2015 are still fresh in the minds of many, described as a “thousand year rain event.” Local residents experienced first-hand the terrifying power of the rushing waters. One resident, Kimber Suber, recalled, “When we got out we almost got swept away by the current.”

The Plans for Recovery

Clint Shealy, Assistant City Manager for Columbia Water, provided details about three key recovery projects aimed at rehabilitating the canal system. The first of these projects involves the headgate structure, located just 3.5 miles upstream. Here, water from the Broad River enters the canal. During the catastrophic flood of 2015, debris made it nearly impossible to close the headgates, contributing to the canal breach.

At present, only one of the headgates is operational, which is sufficient for the city’s drinking water needs but has put a damper on hydroelectric power generation. “There’s an opportunity lost every day that we’re not generating that power,” Shealy said. Excitingly, the future plan involves replacing all twelve headgates at an expense of about $6 million, funded largely by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The project is slated to begin in August 2025 and is expected to last about 15 months.

Expanding Water Sources and Ensuring Stability

Another phase of the improvements includes installing an entirely new intake system in the Congaree River. This addition will reduce reliance on the existing canal and enhance the overall resilience of the water supply. “We want to be in a position where if something like that occurs, or a seismic event were to occur, we’re not reliant on 3.5 miles of earth and embankment that was constructed in the 1890s,” Shealy emphasized.

The new facility will boast an impressive capacity of 80 million gallons capable of pumping water, with an estimated cost of over $46 million.

Fixing the Breach and Reviving Hydroelectric Power

The third part of the effort focuses on repairing the breach and restoring the hydroelectric facility, which had been generating clean energy for the city until its shutdown in 2015. It once produced up to ten megawatts of energy daily. Rickenmann stated, “Obviously, we had to shut it down with temporary repairs.”

This phase includes demolishing aspects of the old embankment and will be accompanied by an archaeological investigation before reinforcement efforts commence. The combined cost for this restoration is approximated at around $60 million, with major financial backing from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and state funding.

A Vision for the Future

Construction work across all three recovery projects is expected to begin in December of this year and unfold in phases over the next 30 months, culminating in June 2027. Right now, the total estimated cost for revitalizing the Columbia Canal stands at around $120 million. Thanks to grants and federal funding, residents can breathe a sigh of relief as the potential impact on their utility bills will be minimized.

State officials, including longtime South Carolina Senator Nikki Setzler and U.S. Representative Joe Wilson were present to show their support for these vital improvements. As these initiatives move forward, the South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) commended the teamwork exhibited at the local, state, and federal levels—proof that positivity and progress emerge even after challenges like those faced during Hurricane Helene and the floods of 2015.

“Progress with the Columbia Canal project highlights that there is hope and recovery following any form of destruction,” noted Steven Batson, SCEMD’s Chief of Staff.

As Columbia looks towards a more resilient future, residents can feel hopeful and connected as their city takes vital steps to ensure a dependable source of water for years to come.