Church Creek Flood Storage & Resiliency at Shadowmoss

A nature-based solution enhances resilience and recreational opportunities for a flood prone community in South Carolina’s Lowcountry.

After helping the City of Charleston, SC identify and prioritize opportunities to implement nature-based solutions for flood control within the Church Creek basin, Biohabitats designed and helped bring to life a 6-acre ecological park and playground that helps protect the frequently flooding community of Shadowmoss while also providing its residents with a natural amenity.

The park’s main feature is a 4.5-acre wetland, which captures, stores, slows down, and filters stormwater as it flows through three interconnected cells planted with native grasses, shrubs, and trees. In addition to flood control, the wetlands also enhance biodiversity in this suburban community. Standing wood snags, root wads, and downed logs provide perching, nesting, and foraging habitat for waterfowl, frogs, and turtles.

An ADA-compliant trail system provides visitors with opportunities to access and enjoy the park. Biohabitats worked closely with the City of Charleston’s Department of Parks and with subconsultants Surculus and Weston & Sampson on the layout and design of the trails, as well as the park’s nature-play playground, restroom facility, and picnic areas.

TAGS

• Ecological Restoration