Charleston’s Fight Against Flooding: Progress at the Lockwood Pump Station
Hey there, Charleston! If you’ve been around town lately, you might have noticed some exciting changes happening at the Lockwood Pump Station. This site is buzzing with activity as part of the massive Spring-Fishburne Drainage Improvement Project, aimed at saving our lovely city from the clutches of flooding.
What’s Going On?
Let’s dive into the details. As of November 27, 2024, construction is pushing ahead with a sense of urgency and purpose. The Lockwood Pump Station, positioned snugly between the bridges of Highway 17, will soon boast three impressive pumps that can clear out stormwater from our streets faster than you can say “Olympic-sized swimming pool” — think less than two minutes to drain that much water! Pretty mind-blowing, right?
Steve Kirk, the project’s head honcho from Charleston’s Department of Stormwater Management, assures us that what’s visible to the naked eye is just “the tip of the iceberg.” A lot of the heavy lifting has already occurred underground — think tunnels and pipes working hard to usher water away from our streets and towards the Ashley River.
Challenges Along the Way
Now, let’s not sugarcoat it; this project hasn’t been a smooth ride. With global delays in manufacturing and supply chain disruptions from the pandemic, getting these pumps crafted and delivered has taken longer than expected. No worries, though—they’re in the final stages of assembly in Wisconsin and are set to hit the road to Charleston for installation early next year!
Unfortunately, the anticipated completion date has moved back to 2026, adding a year to what was already a lengthy timeline. But don’t lose hope, residents! The system has partially operated since August with gravity—yes, just gravity—doing its thing to move water out for now.
A Solution for Flooding Woes
For those living near the Medical District and the well-known Crosstown, this system can’t come soon enough. Many residents have witnessed a noticeable improvement in flood control since the project began. Kirk is particularly excited about how the pumps will work, even against higher tides, including those pesky king tides that we dread every year.
The Spring-Fishburne project is designed to alleviate flooding in nearly a quarter of Charleston’s peninsula, a region that often turns into an unwelcoming swimming pool after even a light drizzle or during high-tide. With areas like the Crosstown rendered impassable, schools, fire stations, and several medical centers face access challenges only the bravest of souls are willing to navigate!
The Backstory of the Drainage Basin
For a little context, much of the Spring-Fishburne drainage basin used to be marshland until it was filled in over a century ago. Unfortunately, this historic change came with a price—our charming city often finds itself at the mercy of floods without natural drainage systems to help out.
So, what does this mean for the future? With the pump station slated to handle howling storms and keep the Crosstown passable during a 10-year storm (that’s a storm that has just a 10% chance of happening in a given year), Kirk feels optimistic. No more sending kids to school in drenched clothes or worrying about access during downpours; that’s a win for all!
Onward and Upward!
As we inch closer to completing this monumental project, Kirk shares, “We are on the last lap of it right now.” He’s dedicated nearly two decades to this project, and watching it evolve has been nothing short of humbling. The future looks bright, and we’re all eager to see Charleston flourish without being held back by flooding.
So, keep your fingers crossed and your umbrellas close, folks! Big changes are on the horizon and will surely make our beautiful Charleston even more wonderful.
