Protect the Floodplain

Protect Natural Floodplain Functions

  • Understanding and protecting the natural functions of floodplains helps reduce flood damage and protect resources. As flooding spreads out across a floodplain, the energy from the flooding dissipates resulting in lower downstream flooding, reduced erosion of streambanks and channels, the deposition of fertile sediments higher in the watershed, and improved groundwater recharge.
  • Floodplains are scenic, valued as wildlife habitat, and suitable for farming.
  • Poorly planned floodplain development leads to streambank erosion, property loss, increased flooding risk, and decreased water quality.
  • Activities that disturb beachfront and saltwater wetlands should first obtain permits from the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM)
  • Any disturbance of freshwater wetlands requires a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and certification from SC DHEC Office of OCRM
  1. The Beach
  2. Cherry Grove Marsh
  3. White Point Estuary
  4. Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway

The beach is generally wide and flat with a well‐developed berm and a system of small dunes (1 to 2 feet in height) vegetated with native species (Sea Oats and native grasses/forbs). Shoreline stabilization structures are present over approximately 3 miles of shoreline (approximately 16,000 feet of seawall, 2,200 feet of bulkhead, and 100 feet of riprap) and are currently protected from exposure to waves and near shore processes by a berm and dune system in most places.

Oceanfront dunes serve as a buffer against minor wave height fluctuations and beach erosion.