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and is subject to periodic flooding which occurs approximately ten times each year. The flood waters make some of the park’s ground trails temporarily inaccessible, too, and may leave them muddy and clogged with debris in some places. With almost 80% of the park lying within the floodplain, these floods make the backcountry trails and even parts of the boardwalk inaccessible to visitors. The Congaree River flows through the park. Rains associated with hurricanes or tropical storms also cause flooding from time to time, especially from late summer through fall. I had the trails virtually to myself, with only the ferns, abundant birdlife, turtles, cypress knees and towering loblollies to keep me company. Visitors can easily spot forest animals such as deer, opossums, raccoons and river otters. Thanks to that 6:10 a.m. Cedar Creek crested at 16.02 feet and is currently at 15.84 feet. Weather At Congaree National Park. Verified. While the heavily-used high boardwalk leading from the bluff to Weston Lake is perched well above the reach of most floods, the lower boardwalk trails are often completely submerged. It is an alluvial or flood plain, part of a river system where sediment deposits build up on one side and periodic sideways flooding and erosion occur on the other. Congaree relies on the mighty Congaree River, and also the lesser Wateree River. Read on to see the best time to visit Congaree National Park! Depending on sporadic heavy rains brought on by thunderstorms, weather fronts, and occasional hurricanes and tropical storms, about 10 flooding events a year can be expected. My daughter has special needs and I’m always worried about her slipping when we are hiking. Extensive farmland flooding occurs in the area. Paddling down Cedar Creek is magical. With almost 80% of the park lying within the floodplain, these floods make the backcountry trails and even parts of the boardwalk inaccessible to visitors. Extensive farmland flooding occurs in the area. congareenps. The fall can be a good time too but that is Hurricane season. While the area is accessible in all seasons, it is best experienced in the spring and fall when temperatures are at their most comfortable and insects are generally not a problem. Each year the springtime rains bring flooding conditions to the park, giving new life to the floodplain ecosystem. At 19 feet the river covers most of the elevated boardwalk in the Congaree National Park. Must-Do Hikes in Congaree National Park Best Outdoor Adventures in Congaree National Park Best Family Activities in Congaree National Park Must-Do Hikes in Congaree National Park The park’s floodplain terrain is marked by 25 miles of trails for hikers of every skill level and is mostly flat with only a few fluctuations in elevation. You can find river otters, snakes, bobcats, and dozens of birds. Sloughs and guts are dotted with water tupelo and bald cypress, two tree species that flourish in standing or gently flowing water. Developers have been smart enough to avoid the low lying terrain downriver from Columbia. These … The best part: When I last visited in early summer 2007, there were only three cars in the parking lot. Today, the visitor center is large, the road is paved and "swamp" has rightly been eliminated from the name, but the park is no less special. The summer brings heat and mosquitoes. and Harrelson, L.G., 2008, The Effects of the Saluda Dam on the surface-water and ground-water hydrology of the Congaree National Park Flood Plain, South Carolina: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2008-5170 59 p. The Congaree River at Columbia crested Sunday morning, according to the Congaree Riverkeeper. Hmmm...seems he was an advocate for preservation of the area from back in the mid-twentieth century. The Park: What sets this park apart is its unique attribute - the Championship Trees!Like Redwood National Park in California, Congaree achieved park status to preserve and protect the region’s giant bottomland hardwood forests from the logger man’s axe. Flooding, Soaking Rains Close Congaree National Park In South Carolina By NPT Staff - October 5th, 2015 8:58am The onslaught of heavy rains soaking South Carolina in recent days has led to closure of Congaree National Park , where the Congaree River has gone from roughly 6 feet to nearly 19 feet in the past three … Congaree National Park is very special because it contains the most extensive remaining old-growth river bottom hardwood forest in the southeastern United States. Some livestock producers will have to move cattle and hogs to higher ground if they haven’t done so already. Badlands may have just eclipsed it as my favorite VC, but I love the Harry Hampton. The Latest Articles from the National Parks Traveler. 115: Flooding occurs in low lying areas of the Carolina Eastman Facility and at the Congaree National Park. 100 National Park Road These trees make up one of the highest forest canopies in the world. A PDF map of the Congaree River Blue Trail is Weather Later on October 5, 2015, the river gauge on the Congaree River at Congaree National Park reached a height of 19.83 feet, where it crested. Park rangers from Congaree National Park released two photographs showing the effect of rising floodwaters from rainfall of the last week. Later on October 5, 2015, the river gauge on the Congaree River at Congaree National Park reached a height of 19.83 feet, where it crested. This was a record height for this gauge. COLUMBIA, S.C. — Historic flooding in October led to a steep decline in attendance at South Carolina’s only national park. When the river spills out of its banks (over the natural levees) and unto the flood plain, it not only delivers moisture, but also deposits deep layers of nutrient-laden sediment on the flood plain floor. Most of the park’s extraordinary forest is situated on the Congaree River flood plain, and if it weren’t for periodic floods like this one, there would be no forest of national park and International Biosphere Reserve stature in the Congaree Swamp. The rains that triggered the current flooding were associated with the passage of tropical storm/depression Fay. It got my immediate attention, of course, but with an extra measure of curiosity. Some fishermen and deer hunters will need to adjust their plans for a few days. Flooding at one point was over a majority of the boardwalk, both low and elevated. At 19 feet the river covers most of the elevated boardwalk in the Congaree National Park. So it may be fair to say that there is no best time to visit Congaree National Park. As a result, the park has been recognized You're making me want to look for plane tickets to Columbia. Seasonal flooding deposits nutrients in the floodplain and creates fertile ground. What could this one be about? The park itself is opened 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Minor flooding occurs at the Carolina Eastman Facility. Ever wonder what happens when the park floods? Congaree National Park is amongst a humid subtropical climate. This video is unavailable. Located: South Carolina - Established: November 10, 2003. The flooding would probably be too severe to portage. Yeah, you were within shouting distance as you came down 127. Dispersed throughout the park are some enormous trees, including some national champions for their respective species. Stop it, Bob! Congaree National Park is one of the smaller national parks, but there is no shortage of activities. Congaree National Park is open in all four seasons. The river serves an important role as the final outlet channel for the entire Lower Saluda and Lower Broad watersheds, before merging with the Wateree River just north of Lake Marion to form the Santee River . Speaking of flooding: Did you know that the park has experienced 13 flooding events so far in 2020? A drought of moderate severity has plagued this part of the Southeast for quite a while now, so we’ve had fewer floods than normal. By my reckoning, I must have passed within a few miles of your house. In short order I learned that the Congaree River below Columbia hit flood stage (115.0 feet) at 6:00 a.m. and was expected to crest at 116.9 feet by around 8:00 a.m. This puts a smile on my face. Historic flooding in October led to a steep decline in attendance at South Carolina’s only national park. Congaree National Park (CNP) is a floodplain forest wetland system in central South Carolina which experiences regular flooding from overland flow due to high stage events (mainly from the Congaree River) as well as saturation-excess (groundwater) flooding due to longer-term water surplus conditions. ... At that time, flooding, favorable for photography, is the most likely to occur, but the trees are bare. 18: Several homes in the Sandy Run subdivision along the river become flooded. Trees offer cooling shade inside Congaree National Park on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Hopkins. Here are my top 7 things you can’t miss on your first visit to Congaree National Park. Wikipedia tells me he was a British hero of the Boer War.....gotta be a different Harry. Congaree isn’t exactly a swamp, because most of the time no standing water covers the floor, but the Congaree River floods the area about 10 times per year. Each year the springtime rains bring flooding conditions to the park, giving new life to the floodplain ecosystem. Congaree National Park The Congaree River is a short but wide river in South Carolina in the United States ; It flows for approximately 53 miles (85 km). Congaree National Park: Go during full flood - See 532 traveler reviews, 669 candid photos, and great deals for Hopkins, SC, at Tripadvisor. How does this water source differ from the periodic flooding from the Congaree river, and why is this water source important to this area of the swamp? COLUMBIA, S.C. — Historic flooding in October led to a steep decline in attendance at South Carolina’s only national park. It is rich in wildlife and offers hiking trails, picnic areas, a campground, areas to canoe and fish, and more. Congaree National Park is one of the smaller national parks, but there is no shortage of activities. Although you can visit during any season, the best time to go is spring and fall because the weather is best. After the flood recedes, visitors can’t help but notice the high water mark (or water line), which is discernible on the trunks of the trees where the brown stain and moss ends. Photo Experience. At Congaree National Park, flooding often submerges, and occasionally damages, the lower boardwalk. Congaree National Park lies within the floodplain of the Congaree River. But, the park’s periods of frequent flooding and inclement weather patterns could guide your travel plan. It’s a huge old growth forest that was only designated a National Park in 2003. Add plenty of moisture and nutrients provided by the flooding of the Congaree River. The park is also home to the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. Summer … In that this park is a preserve of hard wood floodplain forest, the flood process is integral to its ecology and broad bio-diversity. Over thousands of years, how many marks like this have been left by how many floods in the Congaree Swamp? The Congaree is perched just below the Fall Line on the highest of a series of terrace-like structures formed when the ocean level was much higher than now. Choose five species present within Congaree National Park. -artist in residence @visiophoto (10928966656).jpg 612 × 612; 184 KB ... Congaree Flood May 2013 (8725150131).jpg 4,608 × 3,072; 7.39 MB. Waters from the Congaree and Wateree Rivers sweep through the floodplain, carrying nutrients and sediments that nourish and rejuvenate this ecosystem and support the growth of national and state champion trees. The lush trees growing in its floodplain forest are some of the tallest in the eastern United States, forming one of the highest temperate deciduous forest canopies remaining in the world. Heck, if I had known you wanted to visit CONG, I could have given you a ride practically to the front gate. The Congaree River winds like a snake through the area and the watershed it produces becomes a … That particularly goes for those of us who know and love Congaree National Park. You may have heard the term “swamp” associated with Congaree, but contrary to the stereotype, the newest of the national parks is actually a floodplain forest. Right now, the forecast is calling for the Congaree River to crest at 15.4 feet on Friday. Here are my top 7 things you can’t miss on your first visit to Congaree National Park. I'm such an obsessive naturalist, I tend to overlook human history I should know. The park is known for its incredible biodiversity. Congaree National Park and Friends of Congaree Swamp will co-host Water/Ways, a Smithsonian traveling exhibition Nov. 13 to Jan. 13, 2021. So it may be fair to say that there is no best time to visit Congaree National Park. 119: Extensive flooding occurs in the Congaree National Park. About half of the park’s area – roughly 11,000 acres -- consists of flood plain forest that was never subjected to significant logging or other commercial exploitation. and is subject to periodic flooding which occurs approximately ten times each year. Congaree National Park The Congaree River is a short but wide river in South Carolina in the United States ; It flows for approximately 53 miles (85 km). I first visited Congaree back in 2000 before they built the Harry Hampton Visitor Center and the park still had "swamp" in its name. Hours: The park is open 24 hours a day year-round. 142 likes. I can't wait for my next visit! 115: Flooding occurs in low lying areas of the Carolina Eastman Facility and at the Congaree National Park. Seeing the park during full flood made for interesting view of the forest while we walked the elevated boardwalk in 2 sections totaling nearly 2 miles overall. A water treatment plant will be protected by its levees. This park is known for its mosquitoes, so a mosquito … My wife will wonder where I went when she gets home from school. While we missed the opportunity to explore other park trails (they were under water), we were glad to see it … Note that almost 80% of the park is within the floodplain of the Congaree River, which means flooding occurs throughout the … Here in central South Carolina, the weather alerts we get in the late summer usually come in the afternoon or evening and typically announce watches or warnings associated with severe thunderstorms or tornadoes. Before that it was made a protected area in the 1970’s. The park is recognized as an International Biosphere Reserve, National Natural Landmark, Wilderness Area, and "Globally Important Bird Area." If the flood plain forest of the Congaree were a sentient creature like you or me, it would be shouting “bring it on!”. The river serves an important role as the final outlet channel for the entire Lower Saluda and Lower Broad watersheds, before merging with the Wateree River just north of … Regular flooding brings in fresh sediment and nutrients, while flushing out the old. Soon after this confluence, the Santee River begins to flood as a result of backwater from Lake Moultrie. Weather Alert announcement, I know that flood waters are creeping up the sloughs and guts and spreading through the Congaree Swamp even as I write this. 29061. Boating safety tips: This station managed by the South Atlantic WSC Columbia Field Office. In a typical year, about 90% of the area of Congaree National Park is inundated by flood waters at one time or another. Congaree National Park. "How high is the water, Ranger?" The summer brings heat and mosquitoes. Congaree National Park and Friends of Congaree Swamp are hosting the Smithsonian Water/Ways exhibit through January 13, 2021 under the sponsorship of SC Humanities. Congaree National Park On November 10, 2003, Congaree was designated a National Park, a South Carolina wilderness area, that was formerly the Congaree Swamp National Monument. Congaree National Park occupies about 40 square miles and consists mostly of river bottom hardwood forest -- sweet gum, water oak, tupelo, cypress, loblolly pine, etc. Although the National Weather Service has discontinued the Flood Warning for the park, minor flooding is still possible as the Congaree River is still near flood stage as of this morning. Wildlife in Congaree National Park The park is home to an array of wildlife. Two feet over flood stage is not a major flooding episode for the Congaree, nor is there much property on the flood plain subject to damage. In a study of hydrologic data in Congaree National Park (CNP) from 1973- 1982, Patterson et al. Kirby, while returning from northern Michigan last Saturday I cruised down M127 and hung a left on I-96 at Lansing to head over to US 23 South (where I participated in a 70-minute traffic delay just north of Ann Arbor). 18: Several homes in the Sandy Run subdivision along the river become flooded.

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