Conway, SC - The South Carolina Office of Resilience (SCOR) is pleased to announce that construction began on the City of Conway’s McKeithan Watershed Stormwater Improvements project on the week of August 4, 2025.  The project’s construction is funded with a $4.2 million award through SCOR’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Stormwater Infrastructure Program and a $587 thousand cost share from the City of Conway. Improvements include the construction of a stormwater pond, planting of native vegetation, and installation of passive recreation facilities. 

The project site lies adjacent to Crabtree Canal, which is subject to flash flooding according to the City. The lack of any stormwater detention facilities in the area significantly contributes to this hazard risk. Multiple roads and homes in the area have thus experienced flooding.

To provide protection above a 25-year, 24-hour rain event, the project will establish two ponds with approximately 33 acre-feet of storage volume in total. This will capture runoff that currently flows directly into Crabtree Canal, but will be intercepted by the new ponds and will be retained instead of immediately entering the canal. 

Approximately 80% of the project will rely on natural, green infrastructure solutions. In addition to the pond’s construction, new wetland ecosystems and open space are incorporated in the design. The entire project area will serve as a wildlife habitat and provide opportunities for passive recreation outside of heavy rainfall events. 

“The City of Conway is proud to support this SCOR-led project, funded through ARPA, which will bring a 20-acre nature-based stormwater park,” says Mary Catherine Hyman, Deputy City Administrator. “This transformative project will provide floodwater storage, improve water quality, enhance community resilience, and create a public space with walking trails and educational features. This project reflects the City’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure and a safer, stronger Conway.”

“This project is a commendable example of a comprehensive approach to improving an area’s resilience to natural hazards,” states SC Chief Resilience Officer Ben Duncan. “While the City already used FEMA funds to buy out properties in the immediate area affected by flooding, this project increases the benefits to the public by improving natural habitats and fostering community connectivity.”

To date, SCOR has committed approximately $65 million in ARPA Stormwater Infrastructure Program funds for improvements across South Carolina.

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About SCOR: The South Carolina Office of Resilience (SCOR) is committed to enhancing the state's ability to anticipate, absorb, recover, and thrive when presented with environmental changes and natural hazards by planning and coordinating statewide resilience, long-term disaster recovery, and hazard mitigation. In addition to serving 3,459 homes in our Disaster Recovery Program, SCOR has 81 active flood mitigation projects, including voluntary buyouts, stormwater infrastructure, and plans and studies, across the State. SCOR continues to implement and maintain the Strategic Statewide Resilience and Risk Reduction Plan, which provides a framework to guide investment in projects, programs, and policies to protect the people and property of South Carolina from the damage and destruction of extreme weather events.