A portion of the Augusta Canal will be drained for approximately three months beginning in early July to allow for scheduled maintenance and bridge repairs, according to officials with the City of Augusta Engineering Department and the Augusta Canal Authority.

The bulkhead gates across the canal near Lake Olmstead will be closed, allowing water to drain out through tailraces at Sibley, King and Enterprise Mills and through other drainage structures including gates at 13^th Street. The draining process will begin July 5 and take several days.

Work on the Butt Memorial Bridge at 15^th Street and the Broad Street Bridge near King Mill will begin July 18 once water levels are sufficiently lowered.  Contractors for the City of Augusta will replace the underside decking and perform other restoration on both bridges.  

According to Dayton Sherrouse, Augusta Canal Authority Executive Director, the lack of water will have significant financial impact the Canal Authority’s operations, including its popular Petersburg boat tours and the hydroelectric power stations it operates at the Sibley, King and Enterprise Mills.  “It is regrettable that the city must drain the water during the summer’s peak power demand and outdoor recreation period,” Sherrouse said, “but these bridge maintenance projects are essential. We are doing our best to minimize the impact on the public.” 

Because water will remain in the upper five miles of the canal above the Olmstead Bulkhead, the Petersburg tour boats will travel up the canal and dock at the Savannah Rapids Park for the summer.  During the drawdown period guided tours of the upper canal area will be offered several times daily Tuesday through Sunday beginning July 6.

Sherrouse also cautioned the public to stay out of the canal bed during the drawdown to avoid being trapped by the thick mud.

Wildlife, including aquatic plants and fish, will be studied during and after the drawdown, Sherrouse said. “We have staff and a summer intern coordinating  plans for this at the present time.”