The City of Columbia recently shared an update on the ongoing repair and recovery of the Columbia Canal. The announcement was made at a press conference on October 4 at Edventure Children’s Museum, with a view of the Canal and the City’s Hydroelectric Generating Station.
Mayor Daniel J. Rickenmann expressed optimism and gratitude for the progress made so far. “We are so pleased to report this progress and to soon begin construction of the repairs to our beautiful and historic Columbia Canal,” said Rickenmann. “We can’t overstate our gratitude to our elected officials and federal, state, and local partners for helping us secure funding and to the consulting professionals and City staff for their tireless efforts to get us to this point.”
Since the devastating October 2015 flood, restoring the Columbia Canal has remained a priority for the City and Columbia Water. The briefing included remarks from several key figures:
- Mayor Daniel J. Rickenmann
- City Manager Teresa Wilson
- Assistant City Manager of Columbia Water Clint Shealy
- South Carolina Emergency Management Division Chief of Staff Steve Batson
- United States Congressman Joe Wilson
The canal recovery effort encompasses three major projects, each funded separately:
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Headgates Replacement: This project involves replacing the headgates that control water flow into the canal, with a total cost of around $12 million. Funding is partially provided through a Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Program Mitigation grant.
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Embankment Repair: This phase will rebuild the canal in the breach area, repair scouring along the embankment upstream of the breach, and restore the hydroelectric generating station. It is projected to cost about $60 million, funded by a combination of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance program and State of South Carolina resources.
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Resilient Water Supply: This project aims to install an alternative water intake on the Congaree River, capable of supplying up to 80 million gallons per day to the Canal Water Treatment Plant. The estimated cost is $46.6 million, with $32.6 million funded through a FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant.
Combined, these projects will restore the Columbia Canal and Hydroelectric Generating Station to full functionality, enhance the historic and natural beauty of the area, and ensure a more reliable and resilient water supply for the community. The first phase of construction is slated to begin in December 2024, with the entire project expected to be completed by December 2027.
