In 2020, South Carolina Sea Grant published the State of Knowledge Report for stormwater ponds in coastal South Carolina. Included in this report is an analysis of 2013 aerial imagery, which revealed the coastal counties of South Carolina contain a cumulative area of 11,916 acres of development-related ponds.

These stormwater ponds all face challenges related to shoreline erosion and sediment accumulation. Dredging to maintain pond functionality is a conventional engineering solution, but it is a reactive approach that is expensive and disruptive. However, a range of comparably low and moderate cost measures are available to stabilize and naturalize a shoreline and improve ecological functions of the pond system. 

To address these issues systematically, we developed the Pond Shoreline Assessment Tool (PSAT), which offers an objective framework for evaluating and cataloging shoreline erosion and prioritizing repairs across multiple parcels and/or multiple ponds. The PSAT is especially helpful for landowners, campuses, and communities with extensive shoreline reaches and varying edge conditions. Although we initially developed this tool for ponds in coastal communities, the PSAT framework is equally useful for stormwater ponds in inland watersheds. 

Case Study

Since 2022, RDE has worked with the Seaside Farms community in Mt. Pleasant, SC, a neighborhood with 13 stormwater ponds and approximately 6 miles of shoreline constructed approximately 25 years ago. Our initial observations, along with input from the community, highlighted a preference for nature-based solutions. The Pond Shoreline Assessment Tool enabled the HOA Board of Directors to allocate resources effectively and fairly and to establish a timeline for addressing erosion, thereby preserving the community’s environmental and aesthetic values.