There will be two large stormwater projects taking place within the Finger Lakes drainage basin in early 2026. These projects were identified in the 2020 Island Wide Stormwater Master Plan. These projects will be the 9th and 10th projects completed that were identified for implementation from this master plan. The two projects are outlined below:

• Finger Lakes Outfall Structure Replacement: The current outfall structure where water from the finger lakes discharges into the marsh is at the end of its design life and allows tidal flooding into the lake system during king tide events.  The structure and the discharge piping will be replaced with a new more resilient system that will prevent tidal flooding and provide automated control of the water level in the lake system.
• Old Forest Culvert Replacement: Currently there is an 18” corrugated metal pipe that connects two of the Finger Lakes underneath Old Forest Dr.  This pipe is over 40 years old and is undersized.  It will be replaced with a new 4’ x 2’ box culvert that will provide additional flow capacity and a longer service life.

The work on Old Forest Lane requires the excavation and removal of pipe under the roadway. This will necessitate the closure of Old Forest Lane for a period of 8-10 weeks. Beginning on February 2, 2026, Old Forest Lane will be closed at the causeway. The anticipated reopening date is April 6, 2026. Some residents living on Old Forest Lane may have to detour from their normal route as shown in the figure below.

We will work to get this project completed as quickly as possible and restore the normal traffic pattern.

You may have noticed some white stakes in the marsh that can be seen from the bridge on Seabrook Island Road as you look toward Oyster Catcher. This is the alignment for the drainage channel that will be excavated in the marsh to promote positive drainage from the end of the stormwater pipe to the tidal channel. The alignment can be seen in the aerial image below. 

This channel existed when the stormwater piping was originally installed, but gradually filled in over time.  This is a maintenance project to ensure that stormwater on Oyster Catcher can drain effectively after a rain event.  It is scheduled to be completed in early 2026.

New pumps, motors, and controls were installed at stormwater pump station #1 last week. The old equipment was at the end of its useful life and was scheduled to be replaced this year.

These photos show one of the new pumps being lifted into place by a crane. There is also a photo of the two old pumps and motors that were removed lying on a trailer.

These pumps are 12 feet tall and pump water off of Seabrook Island Rd. near Coon Hollow Ln. after a rain event. These new pumps and controls will allow SIPOA to continue to provide resilient stormwater management in this area.