A few years back, residents of multiple neighborhoods were facing an issue that Molasses Creek will no longer be a navigable creek but simply marshlands. The residents who bordered its shores would need to seek other venues to enjoy the waterways. Value to real estate may have been subject to devaluations of 15% or more according to various real estate appraisal professionals.
On June 13, 2021 a $450 thousand dredging project was completed, restoring a navigable channel 5 to 7 feet deep at mean low tide at the mouth of the creek.
During this endeavor, GEL Engineering and others determined that one of the causes of the siltation of the mouth (filling in) is due to the erosion of the marsh and land especially on the Hobcaw (north) side of the creek. To mitigate future erosion, GEL recommended we obtain a permit for the living shoreline from the point at the mouth to the first bend in the creek. The shoreline would utilize oyster castles to protect the shoreline. For more information: https://alliedconcrete.com/products/oyster-castles/
The permit and design is approximately $10,000. The adjacent property owners will be the applicants and are supportive of the application. If we proceed, then the cost is additional $30-50,000 depending on length and labor cost. At this point, we want to just get the permit and then determine timing on deploying the oyster castles. Once we complete, we would then share a recommended path forward with you prior to proceeding.
We urged the residents who live along the shores of Molasses Creek to get involved.
MCDA Members and Friends of Molasses Creek,
This is a big update! I have spoken to many of you and I truly appreciate all of the support to get the mouth of the creek dredge. If we can raise the necessary funds, we will have the creek dredged by this upcoming January 2021! The current plan is for Marcol to start dredging December 15, 2020 and complete the project within 30 days. The result will be 6 feet a low tide at the mouth of the creek – totally game changer for the health of the creek and our collective ability to fully enjoy the creek!
For those of you who are new to the forum, within the decade, Molasses Creek will no longer be a navigable creek but simply marshlands. The residents who border its shores will need to seek other venues to enjoy the waterways. Value to your real estate may be subject to devaluations of 15% or more according to various real estate appraisal professionals. We can take steps to stop this and are asking for your participation.
Many of you are aware that 90 minutes on either side of low tide the waters of Molasses Creek do not flow; impeded by a massive sandbar resulting from aftermath of wakes from large shipping vessels that visit our ports. The growth of this sandbar continues further restricting the flow of water in and out of Molasses Creek.
For many weeks, we have been analyzing how best to equitably ask the residents along the shores of Molasses Creek to help us save it. The structure of our support framework was based on a multi-tiered cost/benefit. For example, those with deep water docks would benefit more than those without docks. Therefore, those on the mouth of the creek would make a much larger commitment versus one with marsh front only making a smaller commitment.
Attached is the proposed contract from Marcol Dredging. The total projected cost is $450,000 (including dredging and surveys). We need to sign this contract by September 30th in order to get on the schedule for this dredging season. Hobcaw Yacht Club is signing a similar agreement with Marcol this week. Please remember by collaborating with HYC we are saving approximately $135,000. If we do not proceed now, WE MAY NEVER GET THE MOUTH DREDGED!
The key now is for all of us to commit to funding. Based on my personal outreach, we now have a total commitment of $391,000. Below is the summary. To be successful, we need everyone to participate. For example, if we can get 10 more Tier 2 members to participate then we are fully funded! We can also get there through many of combinations of others providing funding as well.
<Read more by clicking "Find Out More" above>
Picture taken around 1960
TIER 1 PARTICIPANTS
TIER 2 PARTICIPANTS
(+3' of water at low tide)
TIER 3
(' to 2' of water at low ride)
Very Important Meeting Planned - The Dredging of Molasses Creek
Hello Neighbors! Important meeting for homeowners along the shores of Molasses Creek was held Monday, September 14th at 6 PM. This is critical for health of the creek and our home values. Please get involved.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://advocate.zoom.us/j/96383311496
Meeting ID: 963 8331 1496
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Meeting ID: 963 8331 1496
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