USACE Leaders Review Waccamaw River Flood Study Progress with Horry County Officials

Visit highlights final-phase work on long-term strategy to reduce repeated flooding across the Waccamaw Basin

HORRY COUNTY, SC — Senior leaders from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers visited Horry County on May 15 to review key areas of the Waccamaw River Flood Risk Management Study as it approaches completion. Maj. Gen. Jason E. Kelly, Deputy Commanding General for Civil and Emergency Operations, and Lt. Col. Todd Mainwaring, Charleston District commander, met with county officials to examine locations where existing infrastructure restricts natural water flow conditions the study identifies as major contributors to flooding.

The federally authorized feasibility study is supported through a $3.9 million cost‑shared partnership between USACE and Horry County. Staff expect the work to culminate in a Chief’s Report in summer 2026, a required step before Congress can consider authorizing recommended projects.

“This study is a strong example of how collaboration and data-driven analysis can lead to meaningful flood risk reduction,” Mainwaring said. “By focusing on targeted improvements that restore natural water flow, we’re identifying solutions that can make a real difference for residents, infrastructure, and emergency access throughout Horry County.”

The recommended plan emphasizes improving hydraulic conveyance, allowing floodwaters to move more efficiently through the floodplain and reducing upstream flood levels. Proposed improvements aim to reduce risks to life and property, limit damage to homes and transportation corridors, and strengthen evacuation routes and emergency access.

“Flooding has had a lasting impact on our communities, and this study represents an important step toward reducing that risk,” Horry County Council Chairman Johnny Gardner said. “We appreciate the continued partnership with USACE and the attention from senior leadership. These efforts are helping us move closer to solutions that protect our residents, support our economy, and strengthen our resilience for the future.”

The study identifies two priority project areas, one in Conway and one in Socastee. Officials say the improvements would help reduce long-term economic losses associated with repeated flooding and bolster overall community resilience.

USACE notes that while the recommended plan offers measurable risk reduction, no single project can eliminate flooding entirely due to the watershed’s natural characteristics. The study is intended to serve as a foundation for a broader, long-term strategy requiring continued county investment and additional localized projects.

If Congress authorizes the project and appropriates funding, design work could begin as early as 2028, with construction estimated between 2030 and 2034.

The visit from USACE leadership underscores the federal government’s ongoing collaboration with Horry County to advance practical solutions that reduce flood risk across the Waccamaw River Basin.