On Tuesday, May 21, crews successfully removed a sheet pile dam from Congaree Creek in Cayce.

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service partnered with Congaree Riverkeeper, American Rivers, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and the City of Cayce to remove the dam.

The sheet piles came out easy, allowing the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region Aquatic Habitat Restoration Team to restore the natural flow of the creek within a few hours.

The restoration will result in improved habitat for aquatic species, as well as removing safety hazards for boaters.

The USFWS provided sediment testing before the project started to ensure removing the dam wouldn’t send any pollutants downstream.

This is the 12th dam to be removed in South Carolina.