What's Happening Around the Watershed?

Current Projects

iRanger Pilot Program

This program uses innovative technology to allow volunteers to easily report stormwater and other water quality concerns to the proper authorities. Using the MotionX-GPS application on their iPhones or iPads, the rangers can easily take a picture of the concern, link that picture to a map with GPS coordinates, and e-mail the picture, a short description of the problem, and the map to the City of Columbia and Richland County Stormwater Departments and the Gills Creek Watershed Association (GCWA). The map makes it easier for the investigators to determine the jurisdiction and exactly where the problem is located. The picture and description of the problem helps them determine what the violation is and how quickly it needs to be addressed. The communication between all three entities allows the GCWA to track progress on these concerns, make sure the problems are addressed, and report back to the citizen that originally reported the concern. This is currently a pilot project with approximately a dozen volunteers reporting. The GCWA plans to expand the program in early 2012. This program is funded by the Richland County Conservation Commission and the AT&T Foundation.

Middle Watershed Planning Group

The Gills Creek Watershed Association Middle Watershed Planning Group is working on an aspirational plan for Gills Creek from the Lake Katharine dam to Shop Road. The planning includes best management practices (BMP) to control storm water run-off, improve water quality, reduce litter, and control flooding. The plan also includes access for recreational activities including walking trails and boardwalks, canoeing and kayaking, and nature viewing opportunities.

Areas of focus are improvements to the Crowson Road corridor between the new Whole Foods development and KMart, the Midlands Tech campus parking lot, Gills Creek Parkway, and the extensive natural areas from the Rosewood Drive Extension to Shop Road.

Intertape Polymer Group Culvert Project

The Gills Creek Watershed Association has partnered with the Intertape Polymer Group and applied for a grant from American Rivers and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Funding from this grant would help restore fish habitat and recreational access in Gills Creek by adding in a large bottomless culvert to the IPG road crossing on Gills Creek. Award announcements are expected in March 2012.

Lake Katharine and Little Lake Katharine Sedimentation Removal Project

The GCWA Technical Committee has set up a sub-committee to investigate ways and means to facilitate sediment removal and restoration of Lake Katharine and Little Lake Katharine.

Gills Creek Watershed Research Initiative

The GCWA received a grant from the Richland County Conservation Commission to create a partnership with the University of South Carolina to conduct water quality sampling research throughout the watershed. The Program Coordinator for the GCWA worked with Dr. Daniel Tufford, Biological Sciences, and ten undergraduate students to collect samples of fecal coliform, ammonia, and BOD5 at several locations throughout the watershed. The purpose of this research was an attempt to find the source of these pollutants in order to address the upcoming Total Maximum Daily Load issued by the Department of Health and Environmental Control. The research was be conducted from February-April. A report on the findings of this research will be available to the public.
View a few photos of the sampling...

Devil's Ditch Project

This project is the result of a coordinated effort among Richland County Stormwater Management, City of Columbia and GCWA in an effort to improve Gills Creek watershed. A recent field assessment was performed by both City and County representatives on the Rosewood Community section of the creek located in the between Live Oak Street and South Beltline Boulevard. The stream assessment was completed on an approximate 7650 linear feet stretch of stream and certain deficiencies were identified.

The general scope of this project is to provide engineering services to perform maintenance and repairs to the ditch. Scope includes removal of overgrown vegetation, removal of accumulated sediment, performing repairs to the creek and application of appropriate bank & bed 'localized' stabilization to the ditch to prevent future erosion/scouring. It is to be noted that this project is not a full length stream stabilization project.

Engineering proposals for this project are currently being reviewed.

Gills Creek Mitigation Bank Assessment

This grant from the Richland County Conservation Commission allowed the GCWA to hire Dennis Corporation to create an assessment document concerning potential mitigation banking sites in the Gills Creek Watershed. This document will be used by GCWA and Richland County to develop future banking sites in the watershed. The document is expected to be complete in December 2011.

Recent Finished Projects

Cary Lake Water Quality Improvement Project

The Cary Lake Water Quality Improvement Project was implemented by Richland County in association with GCWA to address water quality concerns, particularly sedimentation and trash/debris that has built up over several decades at Cary Lake. Sediment was removed from two areas on the lake. The first area was the outfall area of Jackson Creek, where 1'-5' of sediment was removed from an 8 acre area. This equates to almost 21,000 cubic yards approximately.

The second area was the outfall from Ashworth Place Pond (at Cary Lane). There was 1'-5' excavated from a 3 acre area, totaling about 7,000 cubic yards.

The GCWA and the Cary Lake HOA have partnered to create a video documenting the progress of this project. Work was completed in March 2011.

View photographs of the progress of this project...

Gills Creek Watershed Cary Lake Restoration Video

Gills Creek Watershed Educational Video

The GCWA has received a grant from Richland County to create an educational video that can be used to present at meetings, conferences, workshops, etc. The 60 second video is available on the website now.

Tree of Life Raingarden

The Tree Of Life Green Team, the City of Arcadia Lakes, and the Gills Creek Watershed Association have partnered to build a raingarden at the Tree of Life Congregation at 6719 Trenholm Road across from Cary Lake. This raingarden captures the stormwater from their parking lot before entering Cary Lake. It will also serve as an educational tool and demonstration project for the community. Anyone is welcome to visit the raingarden.
Rain Garden

Updated Strategic Plan

In order to better serve its members and the watershed, the GCWA has completed a three year strategic plan. We worked with Diana Toledo of the River Network, to help us focus, organize, and plan our strategy. We interviewed stakeholders for citizen input, conducted a board retreat, created the plan that is available as a pdf document. Thanks to all of those that participated.
Gills Creek Watershed Strategic Plan

Gills Creek Road Crossing Signs

The Richland County Soil and Water Conservation District made signs that were placed on major road crossings within the watershed. The signs are on Gills Creek road crossings, and at the entrance of the watershed boundary on major roads. The signs help to raise awareness about the location of the creek and the watershed.

Hopes for the future...

Forest Acres Walking Trail

The City of Forest Acres is working to develop the first public access point on Gills Creek. The location of the trail has been approved by City Council and now engineering drawings are being made. The first phase of this trail will be located behind Trenholm Plaza at Trenholm Road and Forest Drive.
Here is a pdf document of the plan. Forest_Acres_Trail_Plan.pdf