Bruce Lake, a serene freshwater body nestled in our community, faces a significant threat: the proposed discharge of untreated stormwater from a new development. The Bruce Lake Development plan, poses serious environmental risks and demands our immediate attention. The developer’s proposal, seeking to directly channel substantial quantities of stormwater into Bruce Lake, disregards established best practices and jeopardizes the lake’s ecological integrity and recreational value. Let’s explore the multifaceted reasons why this is a deeply concerning proposition.
Understanding the Role of Stormwater Detention Basins
Before delving into the specific risks, it’s crucial to understand the essential role of stormwater detention basins. These engineered structures serve two primary purposes:
- Flood Control: Detention basins mitigate downstream flooding by regulating peak flow rates. They temporarily hold stormwater, releasing it at a controlled pace, effectively “shaving” the peak flow and reducing the risk of sudden surges that overwhelm downstream waterways.
- Sediment Removal: These basins act as settling ponds, allowing sediment and pollutants carried by stormwater to settle out before the water is discharged. A well-designed basin can remove at least 85% of sediment, significantly reducing the downstream sediment load.
The developer’s proposal to forgo a detention basin and directly discharge stormwater into Bruce Lake undermines these critical functions, setting the stage for a cascade of environmental problems.
The Direct Impact: Accelerated Sedimentation and Lake Degradation
The most immediate and visible consequence of direct stormwater discharge is accelerated sedimentation. Stormwater runoff, particularly from construction sites and impervious surfaces like roads and parking lots, carries a heavy load of sediment. This sediment, if allowed to flow directly into Bruce Lake, will:
- Reduce Water Clarity: Increased turbidity, or cloudiness, will diminish the lake’s aesthetic appeal and hinder sunlight penetration, impacting aquatic plant life. You can learn more about the impacts of suspended sediments from resources like this one from NOAA’s National Ocean Service: Suspended Sediments: Pollution Tutorial – NOAA’s National Ocean Service
- Decrease Lake Depth: The accumulation of sediment will gradually fill the lake, making it shallower and potentially impacting boat access and recreational activities.
- Disrupt Aquatic Ecosystems: Sediment can smother aquatic habitats, disrupt spawning grounds, and negatively affect fish and other aquatic organisms. For more information on the affects of sediment on aquatic habitats, this resource from Canada.ca is very informative: Water pollution: erosion and sedimentation – Canada.ca
Essentially, Bruce Lake risks becoming a murky, shallow pond, a far cry from the vibrant freshwater ecosystem it is today.
The Irony of Increased Flood Risk
Ironically, the developer’s plan, intended to alleviate potential stormwater issues, could actually exacerbate downstream flooding. Bruce Lake’s dam, according to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, requires significant repairs. By adding substantial volumes of untreated stormwater, the developer risks:
- Increased Stress on the Dam: The added water pressure could further weaken the already compromised dam structure, increasing the likelihood of a breach.
- Downstream Flooding: A dam breach would unleash a torrent of water, potentially flooding Poinsett Highway and surrounding areas, posing a significant threat to public safety and property.
This shortsighted approach prioritizes immediate development goals over long-term community safety and infrastructure integrity.
Protecting Bruce Lake’s Freshwater Status
Bruce Lake is classified as “Freshwater” by SCDHEC, a designation that mandates stringent water quality standards to ensure its suitability for fishing and swimming. These standards include:
- Dissolved Oxygen (DO): A daily average of > 5.0 mg/L, essential for aquatic life.
- E-coli: A geometric mean not exceeding 126 counts/100 mL, with a maximum of 349 counts/100 mL, to ensure safe recreational use.
- pH: A range between 6.0 and 8.5, crucial for maintaining a healthy aquatic environment.
- Turbidity: < 50 NTU (nephelometric turbidity units), to ensure water clarity.
- Heavy Metals and Toxic Chemicals: Strict limitations on pollutants like lead, mercury, copper, and carcinogenic compounds.
Direct stormwater discharge threatens to violate these standards, compromising the lake’s freshwater status and jeopardizing its recreational value. Increased sediment loads will lower DO, and increased runoff from impervious surfaces will increase the chance of heavy metal and other chemical pollution.
The Downstream Impact: Nutrient Pollution and the Reedy River
The impact of this proposed stormwater discharge extends beyond Bruce Lake, affecting the downstream Reedy River. The Reedy River is already impaired due to high total phosphorus (TP) levels, a major contributor to nutrient pollution. Excessive phosphorus and nitrogen compounds fuel the growth of algae, cyanobacteria, and other aquatic nuisance plants, leading to:
- Low Dissolved Oxygen (DO): Algae blooms deplete DO, creating “dead zones” where aquatic life cannot survive.
- Taste and Odor Compounds: Algae blooms can release compounds that give water an unpleasant taste and odor.
- Toxic Compounds: Some algae and cyanobacteria produce toxins that can harm animals and humans.
Stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces often carries elevated levels of nutrients, herbicides, pesticides, and organic pollutants like oil and gasoline. By directly discharging stormwater into Bruce Lake, the developer risks exacerbating nutrient pollution in the Reedy River, further degrading its water quality.
Greenville County’s Stormwater Management Plan: A Critical Safeguard
Greenville County’s stormwater permit, issued by SCDHEC in 2021, and Chapter 9 of its Stormwater Management Plan, mandate that no additional TP be discharged from a stormwater source. This regulation is crucial for protecting downstream water quality and preventing further impairment of the Reedy River.
The developer’s proposal to bypass a detention basin and directly discharge stormwater into Bruce Lake directly contravenes these regulations. This disregard for established stormwater management practices underscores the need for stringent oversight and enforcement to protect our waterways.
The Need for Community Action and Sustainable Solutions
The proposed stormwater discharge into Bruce Lake is a serious environmental threat that demands our collective action. We must:
- Raise Awareness: Educate our community about the risks posed by this development proposal.
- Advocate for Sustainable Solutions: Demand that the developer implement a comprehensive stormwater management plan that includes a properly designed detention basin.
- Engage with Regulatory Agencies: Contact SCDHEC and Greenville County officials to express our concerns and urge them to enforce existing regulations.
- Support Responsible Development: Encourage development practices that prioritize environmental protection and community well-being.
Bruce Lake is a valuable natural resource that deserves our protection. By working together, we can ensure that future development projects do not compromise the health and integrity of our waterways. It is imperative that we do not allow short sighted development to destroy the natural beauty and health of Bruce Lake.