SC CAT 1 Waterfowl management area updated reports
CWS inquired as to the SCNDR CAT 1 repair and maintenance progress last week. Today we received the following updates from SCNDR.
We should all be appreciative of the work done over the last couple of years on these CAT 1 areas. It's certainly no easy task for these managers and staff members to work day in and day out in these environments. With that said, CWS gives a big tip of the hat and great appreciation to all the staff of SCNDR that put in their efforts to bring these areas back to functional capacity.
As always give us some feedback on what you see out there on these CAT 1s! Lets all keep our fingers crossed that the storms stay off these valuable areas.
Overview of work conducted on Upper Coastal Waterfowl Project since January 2019
Currently the Project has three trackhoe operators and in most cases three trackhoes are operating throughout the Project on a daily basis.
Santee Coastal Reserve-
Phragmities was sprayed via airboat and helicopter. Murphy (2,100 acres), Cedar (350 acres), Cape (52 acres). The Cape is scheduled to have an additional 650-700 sprayed in September.
Eight bulkheads/wingwalls were installed across the project in areas where high erosion occurs in order to decrease the chances of the dike breaching.
At least 3 miles of dike has been re-topped and berm constructed on the Project. A significant for portion of this was the construction of a setback dike on the Pig Root section of Cedar Island. This area has over-topped and/or breached during every storm event and this repair should correct that issue.
At least 83 miles of dikes have been mowed and maintained. Large woody debris on the dike system was maintained with the mini excavator.
Manipulation of habitat using the Marshmaster via mowing, disking, or roller chopping occurred where needed.
Trunks were repaired as need and one new trunk and associated bulkhead installed.
Water levels were monitored and manipulated as needed to achieve desired beneficial aquatic vegetation growth.
A Coastal Wetlands Grant Project is scheduled to begin in September on the Cape which includes but not limited to: 10-12 trunk installations, approximately 8,700 feet of dike re-topping, 5,045 feet of dike berm re-establishment, and approximately 200 feet of bulkhead installation.
A NAWCA Project involving the Rushes section of Murphy Island is in the process of having logistical issues worked out as well. This project will include dike re-topping, berm establishment, and trunk installations.
Santee Delta-
Dikes issues where leaks occurred have been repaired.
A minimum of 250 acres have been mowed with the Marshmaster.
Sixty miles of dikes have been mowed.
Water levels have been manipulated to promote beneficial aquatic vegetation growth and help control the sesbania.
Work is continuing to resolve the logistical issues surrounding a NAWCA project which has been awarded that will basically renovate both the East and West sides of the Delta (dike re-topping and trunk replacement).
Samworth-
Three miles of woody debris was maintained with the mini excavator. Thirty miles of dikes were mowed.
Large trees were removed from numerous dikes with the trackhoe cutter head in order to be able to maintain the dikes.
A minimum of 190 acres was manipulated with the Marshmaster which included mowing, roller chopping, and disking to facilitate beneficial moist soil vegetation growth. Prescribed burns were conducted where needed.
Water levels are monitored and maintained at various levels to obtain the desired moist soil plant species.
Approximately 1,400 linear feet of dike was re-topped in multiple locations to address low dike heights which allowed high tides to top over the existing low dike.
Wingwalls and bulkheads were installed as needed in various locations.
A trackhoe was rented for the month of June and conducted the following activities: retopped 820 linear feet of dike and repair a leak in the dike on Big Carr. A near breach was repaired at the corner of Cane Patch and Big Carr impoundments. Repaired eroded areas on the dike at Cane Patch impoundment. Repaired a near breach in the dike on Big Field impoundment.
A trackhoe is also being rented for the next 3-4 months to conduct various dike repairs and maintenance on the upper units at Samworth while the amphibious trackhoe continues to work on the Lower units.
Significant time has been spent using the amphibious trackhoe on the crossdike located on the Lower Middleton/Lower Middleton Cut impoundment. This has included tree removal, re-topping the entire crossdike, and creating a berm along the entire dike as well.
The Rabbit Island impoundment renovation was completed the end of August which included raising and widening the entire dike around the impoundment, creating a berm inside the entire dike, and installing two new trunks and associated wingwalls.
The setback dike located in the Upper Middleton Cut was completed at the end of July.
An application for a Coastal Wetlands Grant has been submitted for repair of the Upper and Lower Middleton Complex exterior dikes which are experiencing severe erosion. In addition, there is no material to raise the dike height left in the adjacent canal so this project will be significant and costly.
Broad River Waterfowl Area Overview Since January 2019
Installed 2 new flap gates on water control structures across the tracks to allow effective water control
New flap gate added to water control structure in Old Impoundment to increase water control.
Reinforced existing flap gate to better manage water flow from Parr Reservoir.
2,354 linear feet of canal was cleaned out in Old Impoundment to facilitate draining and flooding. Field edges were graded to allow runoff into the canal.
Installed two pipes and screw gates for enhanced water control of the DU Pond and Greentree Reservoir.
Ditch banks (1,660 linear feet) were cleared of woody debris in the Trestle Pond.
Woody debris encroaching into field borders along the property line was removed.
500 linear feet of ditch bank and field borders were cleared of woody debris encroachment in the Across the Tracks field.
Portions of the DU pond that were not planted in agricultural crops was sprayed with herbicide and burned to encourage beneficial vegetation growth.
Reconstructed the spillway between the DU Pond and Greentree Reservoir to stop unwanted flooding by Terrible Creek.
100 feet of dike was repaired where flooding caused significant erosion.
Agricultural plantings include: corn, rice, chiwapa millet, and chufas.
In areas where deer significantly damaged the corn, chiwapa millet has been replanted in those areas amongst the corn.
Continued trapping of beavers occurred throughout the year as needed.
A trackhoe was purchased to allow for continuous cleaning of the canals and other necessary maintenance activities.
Note that the project has virtually been without an assigned technician for almost the entire year to date. One was hired and then quit because it was not the type of work he wanted to be doing. Finding a suitable applicant has been challenging; however, a new technician started in August.
A part time trackhoe operator is in the process of being hired as well.
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Originally Posted by dbenn454
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