Facts about Gills Creek Watershed
- It’s South Carolina’s largest impaired urban watershed
- It contains over 70 miles of streams
- It covers over 47,000 acres of land
- The population is 140,000
- It is represented by multiple jurisdictions
- It includes parts of Columbia, Forest Acres, Fort Jackson, Arcadia Lakes, etc.
- Urbanization is causing negative impacts to water quality, including excessive sedimentation
- The headwaters start above Sesquicentennial State Park and flow into the Congaree River below Columbia
- We are all impacting the health of the watershed regardless of where you live within the watershed.
- This isn’t a lake homeowner’s issue... it’s the total communities’ responsibility.
What is the vision of the GCWA?
By 2018, to be a national model for watershed management and planning.
Imagine the possibilities…
- Citizens in Gills Creek Watershed enjoy biking/hiking trails.
- All new development is carefully studied and analyzed prior to implementation to determine potential impacts on water quality.
- Stream corridors are protected, as well as wildlife habitat, and restoration of stream flows is complete.
- Water quality is greatly improved and best management practices are in place to ensure future protection.
- Building codes are in place and support GREEN development.
- Gills Creek Watershed is litter-free and lake sedimentation is greatly reduced.