Flood and Drought Data

 Flood and Drought Data

During the months of February and March of 2021, we experienced a flood at our home.  We have 65 ft of wetlands behind us and 35 ft of wetlands to the right of us.  We are located near the Socastee swing bridge in Socastee, South Carolina.

Many came to our rescue to bring us food and water.  We didn't lose power at all due to the sustainable solutions already in place.  We have solar panels on the roof to help with electricity.

https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=ilm&gage=socs1

https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=ilm&gage=socs1

https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=ilm&gage=socs1

https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=ilm&gage=socs1&hydro_type=2

https://nwis.waterdata.usgs.gov/sc/nwis/uv/?cb_00065=on&cb_63160=on&format=gif_default&site_no=02110725&period=&begin_date=2021-02-20&end_date=2021-03-06

https://waterdata.usgs.gov/sc/nwis/uv?site_no=02110725

https://waterdata.usgs.gov/sc/nwis/uv?site_no=02110725

https://waterdata.usgs.gov/sc/nwis/uv?site_no=02110725

Drought Data:

https://www.drought.gov/states/south-carolina/county/Horry

Watershed Special Characteristics and/or Features of the Intracoastal Waterway

 

Watershed Special Characteristics and/or Features:

Intracoastal Waterway, Socastee, South Carolina

Photo: Google Earth

Photo: Google Earth

Agriculture: There isn't agriculture in this area of the Intracoastal Waterway. There is a natural area called the Waccamaw Refuge to the west of my location.

Forestry: There is a natural area that is protected west of my location. The natural area is state and federally-protected. Many different species of flora and fauna are located here that are federally endangered. The Nature Conservancy has bought some land called Sandy Island which is located southwest of my location due to the endangered species.

Photo: Google Earth

Grazing: There is a small grazing area of land for horses located half of a mile from my location. The land is around 8 acres east of my location. This land borders two subdivisions and will not be sold to developers.

Photo: Google Earth

Mining: No mining is in this area. The geographic area is located at sea level.

Recreation: Water recreation is huge around this area. Water skiing, water tubing, kayaking, canoeing, and fishing are some of the activities many locals and visitors do while visiting or living along the Intracoastal Waterway.

Municipal water supply: The water supply comes from the city water company. Grand Strand Water and Sewer is made up of several water systems across Horry and Georgetown counties. Grand Strand Water and Sewer created a report that goes into depth about the government entity. It can be found here: https://www.gswsa.com/gswsa_public_site/userfiles/file/GSWSA%202040%20Plan%20-%20Final%20Copy%20-%2011-18-2021.pdf

Urbanization/stormwater management: Urbanization is very active here. The Socastee region is exploding in growth. New housing developments are being built daily. Stormwater management needs to be revisited due to the explosion of growth in the area. The area that I chose to study is in my back yard and, it floods twice a year depending on rainfall, hurricanes, and other natural occurrences. In Feb/March of 2021, we received 5 ft of water around us due to a massive rain storm that swept across several states.

The flood caused a massive amount of damage for several months.  Flooding does occur and will continue to occur until governments come in and buys property to ensure no development is done to them.  FEMA has bought some property and ensured that this won't happen; however, many properties is still left with homes on them.

Delineating the Wetlands where I live

Wetlands on the Intracoastal Waterway at the Socastee swing bridge in Socastee, SC 

 https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1ZtZR5ILAEVm22mtPe68RQFSsHnFoC8Q&usp=sharing

County:  Horry County

Town:  Socastee, SC

Significant tributaries: Socastee swamp, Waccamaw River, 

Altitude: 

https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?gage=socs1&wfo=ilm

https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?gage=socs1&wfo=ilm

Dominant Tree Species along the Intercoastal Waterway in Socastee, South Carolina

 Along the coastal zone of South Carolina, you will find a variety of trees and shrubs that are native to the area.  The coastal zone is made up of tidal marshlands and associated uplands that include large sea islands, barrier islands, and the Atlantic Ocean (SC State Library, 2022).  Highway 17 is the divider between what is considered the coastal zone and the coastal plain.  The Intracoastal Waterway is located west of the highway and is considered a flood zone.  The Intracoastal Waterway flows along the Grand Strand area of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  It is 60 miles of combined creeks, rivers, and canals (Glazer, 2019).  The Intracoastal Waterway started as a vision more than 240 years ago for a safe and secure route for shipping along the Atlantic coast but not on the open sea (Glazer, 2019).  Many rivers and inlets flow into the waterway and help with flood control.  

Interesting Facts:

 3,000 miles in length

 210 miles in South Carolina

 60 miles along the Grand Strand area (Myrtle Beach and surrounding towns/cities)

 Averages 90 feet wide and 12 feet deep

 13 bridges cross the waterway along the Grand Strand 

 Three swing bridges located in Little River, Barefoot Landing, and Socastee

(Glazer, 2019)

Dendrology of the wetlands of Socastee, South Carolina

 Live oaks (Quercus virginiana), 

 Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) 

 Southern red cedar (Juniperus silicicola), 

 Cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto), 

 American holly (Ilex opaca), 

 Red bay (Persea borbonia), 

 Wax myrtle (Morella cerifera)

 Yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria)

 Southern red oak (Quercus falcata), 

 Water oak (Quercus nigra), 

 Sugarberry (Celtis laevigata)

 Pignut hickory (Carya glabra)

 Dogwood (Cornus florida) 

 American olive (Osmanthus americana)

 Carolina laurel cherry (Prunus caroliniana)

 Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) 

 Laurel oak (Quercus hemisphaerica)

(SC State Library, 2022)

References

Glazer, C. T. (2019, 06 01). History And Life Along The Grand Strand’s Intracoastal Waterway. Grand Strand Magazine: https://grandstrandmag.com/feature/history_and_life_along_the_grand_strand_s_intracoastal_waterway

SC State Library. (2022). Coastal Zone and Marine Ecoregion Terrestrial and Aquatic Habitats. Columbia: SC State Library.

Wetland Ecology

 Clemson University wrote a fact sheet on forestry and natural resources of the South Carolina wetlands.  The article is six pages of facts and information on the value and conservation of the wetlands in South Carolina.

https://www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/wetlands/ClemsonExtension-WetlandEcology.pdf

Wetlands International Article

The organization Wetlands International wrote a great article. Please see the link below. 

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/wetlands-international_wetlands-are-key-to-climate-biodiversity-activity-6969924602999255040-y7tH?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios

Wetlands In My Backyard

I am studying the wetlands in my backyard.  I have 300 ft of wetlands in front of my house, 35 ft of wetlands to the right of the house, and 100 ft of wetlands in the back.   Please see the video and pictures below. 

Wetlands Along the Intercoastal Waterway in Socastee, South Carolina

 Wetlands are very important to the ecology of the lands.  Having shallow waters, high nutrients and primary productivity are vital in establishing the food web and having smaller organisms thrive. Wetlands provide food, shelter, and breeding place for migratory birds and tons of other species.

All four images by: Google Earth Pro