Upstate’s Saluda Lake Revived through Grassroots Conservation Effort

By Amy O. Maxwell, USDA-NRCS public affairs specialist

Saluda Lake near Greenville, South Carolina, is the site of an innovative restoration project and a prime example for other communities to follow. There are many key players in the project that began nearly ten years ago, but the Saluda Lake Restoration Committee, including residents Sam Glenn and Bruce Gaston, are breaking new ground when it comes to the locally-led conservation process. The group joined forces in the early 90’s to address sediment buildup in the lake that could have a widespread effect on many resources, including the Easley water treatment system, which depends on the lake as its primary water source. The problem involved the deposit of sediments in the lake, also known as eutrophication. The process is caused by run-off that carries soil from agricultural fields, construction sites, and other urban areas. The Pickens and Greenville Soil and Water Conservation District’s, The Foothills Resource Conservation and Development Council (RC&D) and the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provided the Saluda Lake Homeowners Association with an evaluation of the lake and contributing watershed in 1994. The report was also developed with the cooperation of The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR).
This report highlighted the harmful effects of erosion on the lake and prompted a group of citizens to take action to reverse the damage done to this important natural resource. The 331-acre Saluda Lake was constructed in 1905 for the purpose of creating hydroelectric power. Duke Power Company formerly owned the lake then sold it to North Brook Energy, LLC. The history surrounding the lake may explain some of the erosion problems.
For instance, in the 1920’s and 30’s, cotton farming was the rule, and conservation practices were not yet the standard. Farming practices in this fragile watershed area (comprised of highly erodible soils) contributed much of the sediment found in the lake today. Additionally, the creation of roads and highways also had an effect on the lake, particularly the construction of Highways 25 and 11. These highways were constructed at a time when erosion control ordinances were not yet in place. The sediment concern is compounded by the fact that the Easley water treatment system draws approximately eight million gallons of water per day from the lake for drinking water. In addition, more than 150 homeowners utilize the lake and the general public considers the lake an important source for recreation. The lake is also part of a 200,000-acre watershed and is the site for over 100 condominiums and a public boat launch. Nearly one hundred years after its creation, the lake is in desperate need of restoration. “I grew up on this lake and have seen first-hand the effects of sediment build-up, and realized I had to do something about it, before it was too late,” explained Gaston.
The Saluda Lake Restoration Committee first formed a tax district in the surrounding area in an effort to help garner funding for the project. “We spent several years just laying the groundwork for this massive effort,” said Gaston. “The permitting process alone took four years and there were times when I wasn’t sure the project would ever happen,” admitted Gaston. They persevered and in 1994 an initial meeting between all the key players brought the project into focus.
NRCS used ground-penetrating radar and Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to profile the lake bottom and provide data on the thickness and distribution of sediment. Data illustrated that the lake was undergoing tremendous changes—the depth at the backwaters of the lake was original recorded at a depth of 20-feet deep. Today, it is only four feet deep or less in some places. Additional data concludes there is over 1 million yards of sediment, or “muck” that has built up in the lake over time. The solution to this sediment buildup is to remove it, which is done through dredging, or the removal of accumulated lake-bottom sediments. The process will take several years.
Foothills RC&D Coordinator Dave Demarest has been a central force in the project since the beginning. “The dredging project began with the installation of a 2,500 foot maintenance road which cost $70,000.” Dredging Operations Manager Steve Cooper was awarded the job and agreed to charge for only the unmarketable materials pumped from the lake. That’s because of the potential for commercial value of the clean sand that comprises some of the sediment. “The real beauty of this project appeared when we discovered that most of the materials we were removing from the lake were marketable,” said Demarest. NRCS Geologist Kim Kroeger studied the sediment and determined that it was composed of primarily clean sands, while the remainder was silt and clay. The discovery meant that the dredging process would be even more remarkable in terms of conservation. “This project is a prime example of good conservation—we are basically removing the sediment to clean the lake, but the sand is reusable and profitable,” remarked Demarest.
Foothills RC&D Council Chair Wes Cooler kicked off a meeting and tour recently at the Saluda Lake Boat Landing where local residents and council members gathered for an update on the project. “This is a fine example of what locally-led conservation efforts can accomplish,” he emphasized. “The residents at Saluda Lake were concerned about the condition of the lake and in protecting the resources associated with this watershed.” And the effort is protecting much more than just the Saluda Lake area. “This project has a widespread effect throughout both Greenville and Pickens counties,” said Demarest. “The focus is Saluda Lake, but this initiative benefits thousands of people in the surrounding area and a whole host of natural resources.” For more information about Saluda Lake, visit www.geocities.com/norwood_dr/saludalanding.htm or contact the Foothills RC&D at (864) 467-2775.



 

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