By C. Darlene Evans, Special Events & Communications Director
South Carolina Botanical Garden
No amount of preparation or planning could have spared the Botanical Garden from the recent weeks of rain which resulted in a flood of unprecedented proportions at the South Carolina Botanical Garden. The Garden is closed to the public for the first time its history.
The incredible amount of rain overwhelmed the Duck Pond and flooded over the dam. The mountain meadow below the dam, including the new Natural Heritage Garden trail and all of the plantings were completely battered and the Geogrid trail was entirely lifted from the ground and washed down slope. Several small trees and bushes were washed out of the ground.
The emergency overflow for the Duck Pond was overwhelmed and the flood waters scoured under the porch of the Hunt Cabin compromising the Hunt Cabin’s foundation. After consulting with University Facilities and the University Fire Staff we determined that the course of the overflow had to be changed. Staff moved several tons of boulders by hand changing the flow of water to direct it away from the cabin to protect the foundation in the chance of more predicted rain.
The entire route of the Natural Heritage Garden has seen incredible damage. Several bridges are compromised or have been washed away along with the entire irrigation system. Most of the topsoil has been removed along with the plantings and some areas have many inches of sand or gravel covering key collections. The reflection pond, which was just dredged as part of an Eagle Scout project is now filled with sediment. The dam has been completely undermined on one end and will most likely need to be removed.
The “Leaky Pond” is full to the overflow for the first time; unfortunately much of our plantings are now thoroughly under many feet of water there. The brick path that was just finished last week at the Children’s Garden and Butterfly Garden has been badly damaged. There are many other less significant losses but the Garden sustained more damage during this weather event than any other.
In the interest of public safety and to allow us to thoroughly document and assess the extent of the total damage and barricade those areas that present a risk to public safety the Garden will be closed Sunday July 14 to all visitors. We will open as soon as the public’s safety can be assured. Your safety is our highest priority during this trying time.
Thank you so much for your support and keep in mind the Garden will recover, emerge better than ever, and will continue to grow to greater heights.
Contact Patrick McMillan or me at 864-656-3405 with any questions. To make donations in helping the Garden rebuild, click here. To view images of the damage, visit our Facebook page.
