Avid kayakers Doug Smith and Mitchell Cain launched from Madison Street today (Nov. 16)to get a closeup view of some of the problems set to be discussed tonight at the drainage meeting at Whiteville City Hall.
They found multiple beaver dams, including a large one that was easily walked on and may stretch for a half-mile. They also found debris and heavy silt in several areas.
Although the city has sent crews in to remove and open dams in several areas, beavers and high water rebuild the dams in a short period of time. The backed-up silt makes the stream shallower as well, resulting in more flooding of low-lying areas during heavy rain events.
The meeting, hosted by Cape Fear Resource Conservation and Development, begins at 6 p.m. at Whiteville City Hall. All county residents who have been affected by flooding are encouraged to attend and speak or submit a written statement. Funding for the possible cleanup of Soules and the Waccamaw River is dependent on public interest.
Photos and video courtesy Mitchell Cain.
