THE ISSUE: Sunken barges in Lake Marion

OUR OPINION: Utility acts according to mission in removing barges

The 50-year-low water level on Lake Marion brought with it controversy. For some, there was the matter of exploration and collection. For others it was recreation.

Santee Cooper, the public utility that is the official overseer of the lake, let it be known that exploration in the lake bed would be limited. Collecting artifacts was off limits. Recreational uses such as driving four-wheelers would be limited, also. The rules didn’t make a lot of people happy, but Santee Cooper cited protection of the lake’s legacy and public safety as key reasons.

Along came another public safety issue, brought to the fore by T&D outdoors columnist Dr. John Rheney in 2007. There was the matter of up to 10 sunken barges blocking the entrance to Ballard’s Creek at Santee. The low water levels exposed the barges, leaving many people to pause and wonder just how close so many had come to tragedy on the debris. Locals were shocked to learn of the presence of the barges, urging Santee Cooper to act to remove the structures.

And that is what will begin happening on Monday.

This past week, Santee Cooper announced that the barges will be removed in an operation that will take up to 10 weeks and may partially restrict access to Chapel Branch.

The state archaeologist’s office surveyed the site in June and endorsed the barge removal, Santee Cooper said. Although the origin of the barges has not been confirmed, reports from area residents cited by the state archaeologist’s office suggest they may have been used when the Interstate 95 bridges were built across Lake Marion, roughly 40 years ago.

“The wooden barges have several metal rods that extend into the lake, and they could be a hazard to boaters and swimmers, especially when the lake levels are low. When the drought uncovered the barges, we inspected the area and decided that if we could, we should move remove them,” said R.M. Singletary, senior vice president of corporate services at Santee Cooper.

“First, we worked with archaeologists, who concluded that moving the barges would not destroy any items of historical significance. Now, we will begin the lengthy process of safely clearing them from the lake.”

Santee Cooper has endured some criticism over the barges but in the end is acting according to its mission as guardian of the lake. Consultation with archaeologists was as appropriate as is consulting with the Department of Health and Environmental Control to ensure that the removal project does not adversely impact water quality.

Beyond any doubt is that a clear danger to public safety on the lake is necessarily being removed.

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