Maintenance Dredging of Charleston Harbor, Ashley River, and U.S. Navy Channels in Cooper River Charleston and Berkeley Counties, South Carolina

Maintenance Dredging of Charleston Harbor, Ashley River, and U.S. Navy Channels in Cooper River Charleston and Berkeley Counties, South Carolina

Author: CORPS OF ENGINEERS CHARLESTON SC CHARLESTON DISTRICT.

Publisher:

Published: 1976

Total Pages: 163

ISBN-13:

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Environmental impacts of this project include: Short-term increase in turbidity and sedimentation; smothering of plant and animal communities in disposal areas; temporary frightening of birds and mammals in the area; temporary reduction of phytoplankton and zooplankton; possible oxygen reduction due to disturbance of anaerobic bottom sediments; short-term reduction of benthic organism populations in the path of the cutterhead and in the offshore disposal area; increase in local mosquito population; possible adverse effect of fish larvae due to increased turbidity; minor increase in air pollution during dredging operations; and stimulation of the local, state and national economy. Adverse environmental effects include: Temporary increase in turbidity and siltation in the vicinity of the dredge and disposal areas; temporary decrease in primary production resulting from turbid waters; possible loss of organisms through leaching of toxic substances from upland disposal areas; possible reduction in dissolved oxygen levels as a result of the dredge disturbing organic materials undergoing anaerobic decomposition; possible displacement of wildlife species; alteration of existing vegetation in disposal areas; destruction of some benthic organisms by the cutterhead; and increase in the local mosquito population.