Emergency Repairs Underway to Combat Erosion and Flooding in Columbia

Emergency Repairs Help Combat Flooding Threats in Columbia

Hey there, Columbia residents! Big news for those living near Gills Creek: the city has been busy tackling some serious erosion problems recently. The aim? To protect our roadways and homes from those pesky floodwaters that have been causing a ruckus in the area.

A History of Erosion

According to local officials, erosion along the banks of Gills Creek next to Old Neck Road has been creating quite the headache. As Assistant City Manager Clint Shealy explained, this erosion has been so intense that it started to undermine the storm drain system, putting nearby homes at risk.

Shealy elaborated, saying, “It started to erode the embankment. We’ve had some heavy rains over the years, and so the bank was starting to wash away. It collapsed the storm drain.” The situation has only gotten worse over the years, especially after the catastrophic floods in 2015, which had severe impacts on roadways in that area.

The Cause of the Problem

But what exactly is causing this erosion? Bailey Parker, the Executive Director of the Gills Creek Watershed Association, pointed out that \bdevelopment in the area has dramatically increased water flow into Gills Creek, which has contributed to the flooding risks we’re seeing today. “When a rain event happens those lakes start to rise,” Parker noted. “Even when we don’t have catastrophic flooding, those folks on that spit of land between the two lakes see flooding in their crawl spaces and in their basement, which can cause very expensive damage to their homes.” Yikes!

Time for Repairs!

So, what’s being done about it? Well, here’s the good news! City crews have rolled up their sleeves and got to work on some repairs along Gills Creek. They’ve installed something called riprap cladding—that’s essentially large stones used to protect the banks from washing away. They’ve also put in a brand-new storm drain to replace the one that got destroyed. Talk about proactive!

Not only that, but the embankment has been reinforced too, and you guessed it, the roadway has undergone some repaving to further prevent erosion. Shealy mentioned that the repairs were completed just in time, saying, “We finished everything before Helene and it held up well during the heavy rainfall then.” Phew, what a relief!

A Community Effort

These repairs are just a piece of the pie when it comes to addressing the ongoing water management issues in our beloved Columbia. With the recent developments, there’s hope that the community will experience fewer flooding worries moving forward.

It’s always a great feeling when local officials step up to protect our homes and roads. After all, we all know how unpredictable the weather can be, and it’s important to ensure that our neighborhoods are safe and secure. A round of applause for everyone involved in these crucial repairs!

As Columbia continues to grow and develop, staying on top of infrastructure needs is more important than ever. So, let’s keep an eye on our beautiful Gills Creek and appreciate the efforts being made to safeguard our community.

Stay informed, stay safe, Columbia. Until next time, take care!