City of Charleston leaders are taking significant steps to restore one of the peninsula’s few remaining tidal creeks, Newmarket Creek, as part of a comprehensive flood prevention and ecological restoration project. The proposed Newmarket Creek Restoration and Flood Prevention project seeks to address critical flooding issues while enhancing the creek’s ecological health and increasing pedestrian access.
Aiming to Tackle Multiple Challenges
Matt Fountain, the Director of Stormwater Management for the City of Charleston, highlighted that the project will focus on multiple issues in the area. He emphasized that the initiative aims not only to reduce flooding but also to improve the salt marsh ecosystem and offer better pedestrian connectivity as part of the Lowcountry Lowline plan.
District 8 Councilmember Mike Seekings called the project “huge” for Charleston, noting the creek’s need for cleanup to restore the natural tidal flow of water. With increasing development in the surrounding area, Seekings believes it is time to focus on revitalizing the creek. “It’s also right in the middle of the [salt] marsh, and there’s lots of opportunity in connection with the Lowline for recreation opportunities,” Seekings added.
Securing Funding for the Project
To begin the restoration, the city is applying for $1 million in federal grant funding from the nonprofit National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. If the grant is approved, the city will match it with $500,000 from the Cooper River Bridge Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds. Seekings believes that this match of city dollars is a great investment in the project’s future.
The funds will be used for site assessment and design work, with an emphasis on addressing flooding in the surrounding streets. The city hopes to incorporate a tide protection system and drainage improvements to reduce flooding from both heavy rain and high tides.
Addressing Flooding Issues in the Area
One of the key goals of the Newmarket Creek Restoration project is to tackle persistent flooding in areas such as Meeting Street, Morrison Drive, and North Nassau Street. Fountain explained that heavy rain events and high tide levels often cause water to back up into these streets, exacerbating flooding in low-lying areas. By improving the flow of water through the creek and adding tide protection measures, the city aims to alleviate these issues and better manage stormwater.
Seekings emphasized that any effort to move water out of these flood-prone areas is critical. “Newmarket Creek is just one of our many options, and in the end, it will really help us,” he said. The city also recognizes the importance of considering both natural and man-made flood protection solutions, such as high-tide barriers and maintaining the creek’s natural flow to support water management.
Enhancing the Creek’s Ecological Health
In addition to flood prevention, the project aims to enhance the ecological health of Newmarket Creek. The conceptual designs include the addition of a “muted tide gate” that would prevent extreme high tides from flowing into the creek, while still allowing normal tidal movements to preserve the salt marsh ecosystem. This would help keep the natural balance of the creek’s environment intact while preventing damage from excessive flooding.
Fountain explained that the muted tide gate would allow regular tides to flow back and forth, ensuring that the salt marsh remains healthy and vibrant. The creek’s natural tidal flow is crucial to maintaining the ecological health of the surrounding area, and this restoration effort aims to protect that delicate balance.
Next Steps for the Project
City leaders are working quickly to submit the grant application for the Newmarket Creek Restoration project, with the submission deadline in about a month. If approved, the grant funds would be available within 12 months, helping to kickstart the necessary work. The project’s potential to address flooding, improve water management, and restore the ecological health of the creek is a significant step toward safeguarding Charleston’s future.
