Category: Engineering

Maintenance Project Update

On By SIPOAIn Engineering, Maintenance

You may have noticed that SIPOA has installed new trash can enclosures at each of the beach access boardwalks and other locations on the island. The old enclosures were deteriorating and needed to be replaced.

The maintenance staff (pictured below from left to right: Gary Brown, Larry Swails, Duaine Collins, Jonathan Jones, and Jonathan Scrughan) began building them in the spring. Last month, they completed the replacement of 16 trash enclosures with an improved design to make accessing the cans easier.

The new enclosures look great, and we wanted to acknowledge the entire maintenance staff for their hard work to get this completed!

Boardwalk 3A Closure

On By SIPOAIn Boardwalks, Engineering

Beach access will be closed at Boardwalk 3A on Monday, June 22, 2026, from 7:00am – 4:00pm.

The beach access is immediately adjacent to stormwater pump station 3. The pumps, motors, and drives at this pump station are scheduled to be replaced during this time. A large crane will be needed to remove the old pumps and install new pumps.

Residents should plan to use another beach access on this date.

Thank you for your patience as we work to keep our infrastructure in great condition.

Lake House After Hours Closure – 6/17/26

On By SIPOAIn Engineering, Lake House

Wednesday, June 17 | 8:00 – 11:00pm

Berkeley Electric needs to cut the power off at the Lake House for 2-3 hours to replace a transformer.

They plan to do it at 8:00pm on Wednesday (6/17/26). The after-hours access to the building will not be available on this date.

We apologize for the inconvenience as we work to keep our facilities in great condition.

Crab Dock Renovation Project

On By SIPOAIn Crab Dock, Engineering

UPDATE – 6/12/26

We would like to provide clarification regarding the Crab Dock Renovation project currently underway.

While the crab dock, viewing platform, and connecting causeway are closed during construction, the boat ramp and kayak launch remain open and accessible from the end of Cap’n Sams Road. No construction work is taking place in the boat ramp or kayak launch area.

Closed during construction:

  • Crab dock
  • Viewing platform
  • Causeway connecting two dock areas

Remaining open during construction:

  • Boat ramp
  • Kayak launch dock

Construction is anticipated to be completed by July 3. We appreciate your patience as we make these improvements to the area.

The planned renovations to the crab dock will begin tomorrow (6/10). These renovations include:

  • replacing the handrail on the crab dock
  • replacing the pile cap on top of the bulkhead
  • replacing the viewing platform adjacent to the crab dock

Construction is anticipated to take approximately 3 weeks, and the crab dock will be closed during this time. We hope to have the area reopened on July 3rd.

We appreciate your patience as we work to keep SIPOA amenities in great condition.

Photo by Ralph Secoy

Engineering Intern Program 2026

On By SIPOAIn Engineering, Intern ProgramLeave a comment

This summer, SIPOA has two interns participating in the Engineering Intern Program. Maria Miller is a Biosystems Engineering student from Clemson University. She is excited to be here and is looking forward to seeing how classroom calculations and design are translated into real world stormwater solutions. Alex Arquette is a Johns Island native and recent graduate in Geography and Economics from the University of South Carolina. He is looking forward to applying his GIS skills to stormwater resiliency applications on Seabrook Island.

Maria and Alex will be working on updating SIPOA’s stormwater outfall maintenance program among other projects this summer. If you see them out on the island or in the marsh surveying, please welcome them to Seabrook Island!

Boardwalk 9 Erosion & Planned Sand Relocation Project

On By SIPOAIn Beach, Beach Projects, Boardwalks, Engineering

Many residents have noticed the erosion that has occurred at Boardwalk 9. In the past several years, erosion has shortened the length of this boardwalk and caused some significant changes to the beach in this area. Currently, the boardwalk is open and accessible, but residents access the beach differently than they have in the past, as shown in the attached photo.

There are plans to improve the condition of the beach in this area. SIPOA plans to conduct a sand scraping project to relocate 150,000 cubic yards of sand along Seabrook Island’s shoreline. The sand scraping permit requires that this work be completed between October 1 and December 31 to avoid impacts to beach habitat. Beginning in October 2026, sand will be collected from the intertidal beach in the area in front of Boardwalk 1, and hauled by truck along the beach to be placed in the area in front of Boardwalk 9. Enough sand will be relocated to create a 100 foot-wide dry sand beach in front of Boardwalk 9. SIPOA is also working to obtain permits to repair the old seawall that has become exposed in this area. If permits are received prior to October 1, the seawall repair may also be completed in 2026.

SIPOA regularly monitors the condition of the Seabrook Island shoreline, and plans for shoreline rehabilitation projects such as these in the annual capital budget. SIPOA also maintains a reserve fund for beach repair and maintenance that can be used to respond to storm damage or other emergencies.

We appreciate your patience as we work to keep the Seabrook Island shoreline in great condition.

Oyster Catcher Stormwater Outfall Update

On By SIPOAIn Engineering, GOMC

The marsh excavation work at the stormwater pipe outfall from Oyster Catcher Ct. has been completed. This project allows for better stormwater drainage during and after a rain event. This stormwater pipe was originally installed approximately 50 years ago. Over time, the marsh changed and accreted significantly in front of the stormwater pipe outfall. This adversely effects the ability to move stormwater.

The before and after photographs clearly demonstrate the impact of this work. A stormwater check valve will also be installed at the end of this pipe to prevent tidal flooding on Oyster Catcher Ct.

Stormwater Projects Update 2026

On By SIPOAIn Engineering, GOMC

OLD FOREST PIPE REPLACEMENT

Construction is complete on Old Forest Drive.

The undersized pipe has been replaced with a 2ft by 4ft box culvert to increase the flow capacity between the two ponds within the finger lakes.

The road has been replaced and is open to vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

OYSTER CATCHER OUTFALL EXCAVATIONS

The stormwater outfall excavation into the marsh from Oyster Catcher Drive is nearly complete. As of this writing, the contractor has completed 450 out of 500 feet of new channel excavation.

The project should be completed by early April and will provide improved stormwater drainage after a rain event in this area.

FINGER LAKES OUTFALL STRUCTURE REPLACEMENT

Construction will begin in early April to replace the outfall structure that discharges stormwater from the finger lakes into the marsh.

New automated controls will be installed to more effectively control water levels in the lakes and prevent tidal flooding into the ponds.

This work is expected to take 3-4 months.