Charleston Reporter

Construction has commenced on the Barberry Woods Restoration Project in Johns Island, South Carolina. This $5.8 million initiative is led by the South Carolina Office of Resilience (SCOR) and the City of Charleston, aiming to address flooding issues in Barberry Woods and The Cottages neighborhoods.

The project is primarily funded by SCOR's ARPA Stormwater Infrastructure Program, contributing $4.9 million towards its development. Key components include a flood bypass channel, wetland storage cells, maintenance berms, as well as facilities for passive recreation such as a pedestrian walkway, bridge, and educational signage.

Frequent flooding in Barberry Woods often obstructs access due to its single entryway, affecting emergency services and causing extended disruptions. The project's completion is anticipated to limit flooding duration to less than eight hours during a 100-year storm event. It is expected that 3,437 residents and 1,687 housing units will benefit from these improvements.

"Johns Island has long needed flooding relief in this area, and we're grateful for SCOR's partnership in making this project a reality. Once completed, it will significantly improve the quality of life for residents," stated Mayor William Cogswell.

In addition to mitigating flood risks through natural solutions, the City of Charleston plans to plant 5,000 native trees and 8,900 native shrubs across the site. This effort supports natural resource preservation amid urban development pressures on Johns Island.

“This project demonstrates SCOR’s commitment to funding green infrastructure solutions to reduce flood hazard risks,” said Chief Resilience Officer Ben Duncan. “The project will restore an approximately 25-acre area into a wetland floodplain system and meandering creek that will increase water storage during storm events and improve drainage issues.”

After completing design and permitting phases managed by the City of Charleston with their funds, construction now proceeds under partial funding from SCOR with oversight provided by them. The construction phase is projected to last around ten months.