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Lake Watery resident urges Kershaw County to fund $30,000 algae treatment, warns of risk to Camden water intake
Summary
A Lake Watery property owner told Kershaw County Council that invasive algae is impairing boating and could clog the Camden water intake; she asked the county to fund $30,000 to control the algae, and staff said the request will be considered by the finance committee.
At the April 22 Kershaw County Council meeting, Lake Watery resident Leanne Fishburne urged the council to fund $30,000 to control invasive algae she said is spreading across Lake Watery and interfering with boating and potentially threatening the nearby Camden water intake.
Fishburne told the council she and neighbors have observed mats of algae migrating along coves and that boat propellers become entangled at night when boaters unknowingly enter algal mats. Using the county’s GIS mapping, she said the mass of algae between her home and her sister’s lies less than a half mile from the Camden water intake and that the algae can clog intake equipment and raise long-term costs.
“Please fund taking care,” Fishburne said, adding that the problem cannot be eradicated but can be controlled. She identified the homeowners association’s request to the county as $30,000 to address the issue.
Council members thanked Fishburne for coming during the public-comment period and said staff and the finance committee will review the request. A council member noted Lake Watery lies in his district and offered to provide contact information for follow-up; staff said the finance committee meeting is scheduled soon and that lake requests submitted to the committee will be considered in the budget process.
No formal vote or appropriation was taken at the meeting; the request was described by council and staff as pending and referred to committee review and budget deliberations.
