CLARKS HILL, SC. ()- It is now officially summer, which means many of you will be going to the lake. 

The Corps of Engineers is still working to clean up storm damage from the hurricane, but now they’re getting some extra help. 

Last month, we were guided through a tour of the Clarks Hill Lake property. Though there’s still work to be done, they have now obtained crucial funding to help accelerate the process.

Since last September, the Corps has only been able to use the district’s operation and maintenance funds to open boat ramps and access points.

But thanks to the Federal Highway Administration, traveling around the grounds will be easier.

“Areas like roads and day-use spaces at Lake Springs are eligible for this,” explained Garrett Bramlette, the Chief Ranger of Recreation. “The plan is to clear debris from the roadsides inside the park, which includes dealing with our 20,000 hangars and leaners, along with the 2,000 hazardous stumps present here.”

The funds, coming from ERFO (Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads) only cover debris removal on roads, trails and parking lots.

Restrooms, campsites, and docks at the park are still damaged—so to make those repairs, more funding is needed. 

“Our next step is to revisit the agency—the Corps of Engineers—after we gain access to these areas. We intend to conduct a detailed assessment and estimate the costs. Following this, we’ll approach the Corps again to request additional funding for repairs,” stated Tammy Weatherford, Operations Project Manager.

While the park is waiting on those funds to be processed, they’re also working to get a debris removal contract by the end of the summer. 

“We’ve been able to move forward with our contracting office to start the process of awarding a contract to get folks in here to help us start cleaning up. I think August is a realistic time frame for that where people will actually see that activity starting,” Weatherford said.

“This is going to speed up the process tenfold. So, instead of us working by ourselves to try and remove this debris out of here, we’ll now be able to afford to pay someone to do so—who will do it on a much larger scale, with much bigger equipment, and much more people,” said Bramlette.

Parts of the park still remain closed, but the Corps says it’s their goal to remove most debris to their two debris drop off sites by the end of the year. 

“The period of the contract is generally 120-day-performance. So, if all goes as planned, we could have the bulk of our debris moved to our storage sites by the end of the year,” said Weatherford.

While they plan to start the process soon, they plan to keep safe parts of the park open to the public.

“As far as Army Corps of Engineers operated parks, West Dam, Clarks Hill Park and below dam Georgia are open. The rest of the 41 of our 51 areas that are open are mainly boat ramps,” said Bramlette.

The Corps will share more details about these funds when they are received, the contract is awarded, and timelines are confirmed.