SC Department of Environmental Services

06/13/2026

On June 6, hundreds gathered in Spartanburg for the annual Discover Your Watershed event hosted by the Startex-Jackson-Wellford-Duncan Water District.

About 600 attendees enjoyed kayaking, paddle boarding and hands-on activities focused on watershed health.

SCDES Aquatic Sciences staff and South Carolina Adopt-a-Stream representatives engaged the community with live aquatic macroinvertebrates and shared opportunities for volunteer monitoring. Partner organizations, including the Spartanburg Soil and Water Conservation District, also supported outreach efforts.

The event showcased strong partnerships working together to protect and understand South Carolina’s watersheds.

06/13/2026

SCDES is asking for your help to document King Tide events along South Carolina’s coast.

“King Tide” is a non-scientific term for the highest seasonal tides that occur each year. They happen naturally when the sun, moon and Earth align during a new or full moon.

While some King Tides may barely be noticeable, others can lead to coastal flooding, erosion and disruption to daily routines, especially when paired with heavy rainfall that limits drainage.

🌊 See a King Tide? Snap a photo and share it with us using the MyCoast: South Carolina app.

Your photos help scientists and planners better understand how tidal flooding affects our communities.

Learn more: bit.ly/3SuFmfe

06/12/2026

Rip currents can form quickly and pull even experienced swimmers away from shore. Before entering the water, check the local beach forecast, watch for warning flags and signs and talk with lifeguards about current conditions.

Rip currents are the deadliest and most common beach hazard in the Carolinas. If caught in one, stay calm, swim parallel to the shore to escape the current, then head back to the beach. If you can't get out, float, wave and call for help.

For more beach safety and coastal stewardship tips, visit weather.gov/.

06/12/2026

SCDES has expanded the Recreational Watch for a Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) in a small area of Lake Murray due to SCDES staff observations and samples collected on June 10th. Cyanotoxin concentrations from June 10 samples are currently low and below state recreational criteria. The Recreational Watch area for Lake Murray incorporates the Clouds Creek arm to below the Indian Creek arm. SCDES's Algal Bloom Monitoring Map (https://scdes.maps.arcgis.com/.../webappviewer/index.html...) has been updated to reflect this Recreational Watch.

On June 10, SCDES’s Aquatic Science Division (ASD) team surveyed Lake Hartwell again and collected water samples from three locations. Based on the latest data, SCDES has maintained the HAB Watch in the Coneross Creek lake arm. The bloom appeared diminished in some areas. However, it is advised to continue to use caution in areas where the bloom is observed.

For both Lake Murray and Lake Hartwell SCDES recommends:
• surveying the lake area before swimming or recreating
• avoiding direct contact with lake water in areas where the HAB is observed
• keeping pets and animals from swimming in or drinking from the lake in areas where the HAB is observed

HABs are a common, natural occurrence in lakes, but they can cause health impacts to people or pets that come into contact with the algae. Learn more at des.sc.gov/habs.

For more information or to report a possible algal bloom sighting, contact SCDES’s Bureau of Water HAB hotline at 803-898-8374 or e-mail [email protected]. If calling after hours, please leave a message that can be returned.

06/11/2026

A stretch of hot weather is moving across the southeastern U.S. over the next several days. High temperatures in the upper 90s to near 100°F are expected, bringing a Major Heat Risk for much of our area on Friday and Saturday.

Extreme heat like this can quickly become dangerous. Please take time now to prepare and review your heat safety tips:

- Stay hydrated and drink water regularly
- Limit outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours
- Check on vulnerable neighbors, family, and pets
- Never leave children or pets in vehicles
- Use air conditioning or visit cooling centers if needed

Stay alert, stay cool and stay safe as temperatures rise.

06/11/2026

At SCDES, we know that strong organizations are built by investing in the people who make the work possible.

Please join us in congratulating Ronisha Jones, Yumi Weathersby, Sam Hahn, Patrick Hill and Sean Briggs on being recognized as SCDES Training Champions within our Office of Technology.

Through their commitment to learning, mentorship and professional development, these employees help strengthen our workforce and support a culture of continuous improvement across the agency. Their leadership ensures that SCDES team members have the tools and knowledge they need to effectively serve the people of South Carolina.

Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition and thank you for your dedication to excellence in public service.

06/11/2026

Join us next Wednesday at EdVenture for Mascot Meetup Day!

Our team will be on-site for a fun, high-energy day as mascots from across the community take over the museum. Bring the family for photos, high-fives, fist bumps and plenty of mascot magic while you explore everything EdVenture Children’s Museum has to offer.

🗓️ Wednesday, June 17 | 9 AM – 2 PM
⭐ Don’t miss Eddie’s Roll Call at 12 PM with a red-carpet mascot introduction!

Come see us there!

🎉🐻⚽ Get ready for a mascot-tastic adventure at EdVenture’s Mascot Meetup Day! 🎈🐯✨

Join us for a high-energy day filled with mascot friends from all around the community and beyond! Kids can enjoy high-fives, autographs, fist bumps, photos, and all kinds of mascot fun while exploring everything EdVenture has to offer. 💛

Whether your family loves sports mascots, school mascots, or community characters, there will be a mascot for everyone to meet and mingle with! 📸🎉

🗓️ Wednesday, June 17 | 9 AM – 2 PM
Don't miss Eddie's Roll Call at 12 PM- Red carpet mascot introductions of each mascot!

06/10/2026

At SCDES, we believe investing in our people strengthens our ability to serve South Carolina.

Please join us in congratulating Michael Hayes, Director of Onsite Wastewater Field Operations in the Bureau of Regional and Laboratory Services, and Kelly Whitlock, Director of Water Facilities Permitting in the Bureau of Water, on completing the Certified Public Manager (CPM) program through the S.C. Department of Administration.

Earning this certification required balancing rigorous coursework, applied learning and project development, all while continuing to provide exceptional service in their leadership roles. Their dedication to professional growth reflects the values of excellence, continuous improvement and public service that drive our work every day.

At SCDES, we are committed to fostering a culture of learning and leadership that empowers our team members to grow professionally while advancing our mission to protect and enhance South Carolina's environment.

We are proud of Michael and Kelly for reaching this important milestone and look forward to the continued impact their leadership will have across our agency and the communities we serve.

Congratulations, Michael and Kelly! 🎉👏

06/10/2026

The South Carolina Interagency Drone Users Consortium (SCiDUC) is proud to announce its third annual statewide symposium, taking place July 15, 2026, at South Carolina ETV in Columbia.

This year's theme, "LEADING THE FUTURE: Drones, Technology & the Rules of Innovation," explores how cutting-edge drone technologies are reshaping public sector operations.

The full-day event, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., will feature experts from federal, state and local agencies, academic institutions and private industry. Attendees will learn about emerging drone applications in government work, from emergency response to infrastructure inspection, and how agencies are adapting to rapidly evolving technologies.

For more information or to register, visit sciduc.org/2026-symposium.

Read the full news release here: bit.ly/4vJXVL4

06/09/2026

Please join us in welcoming the newest members of the SCDES team, who attended New Employee Orientation on June 2. We are excited to have these talented individuals officially become part of the SCDES team as we continue our mission of protecting and enhancing South Carolina's environment and natural resources.

Welcome to:
• Tanisha Agrawal – Intern, Bureau of Land and Waste Management
• Judson Brice – Intern, Bureau of Land and Waste Management
• Parker McNeely – Intern, Bureau of Land and Waste Management
• Sydney Devlin – Intern, Finance & Operations
• Kaitlyn DeCarlis – Bureau of Regional and Laboratory Services
• Anna Gallaway – Bureau of Land and Waste Management
• Rachel Buzhardt – Office of General Counsel
• Braden Green – Intern, Human Resources
• Gino Davis – Bureau of Air Quality
• Lauren Farrell – Bureau of Air Quality
• Jackson Wilbanks – Intern, Finance & Operations
• Jayveeritz Bautista – Bureau of Regional and Laboratory Services
• Hannah DeMaurice – Office of General Counsel
• Sandhya Vellanki – Bureau of Regional and Laboratory Services (Greenville/Spartanburg)

We're so glad you're here and look forward to the impact you'll make as .