In The News

South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson plans to work closely with Rep. Rick Allen to protect the Savannah River Lock and Dam.

Wilson says he's heard from constituents as well as Allen following last week's draw down that surprised many residents along the Savannah River.

"Every effort needs to be made to maintain the pool," Wilson said. "There's just got to be a pool of water as Mayor Bob Pettit of North Augusta stated, 'A riverfront community must have a river.'"

Allen has pledged to fight a 2016 plan to tear down the dam.

"If we're going to have this debate, the only way that we can resolve it is with legislation, and I'm prepared to do that," Allen said in previous remarks.

Right now, the law says the lock and dam has to go, but Allen says there's no hope for the Savannah River without it.

If the dam is replaced with a smaller one, the water levels downtown would sit at 112.4 feet. But Allen says the level cannot drop lower than 114.5 feet due to a law called the WIIN Act that was enacted in December 2016.

Wilson agrees with that assessment of the WIIN Act.

"We want that law enforced," Wilson said.

Wilson is looking for members of the community to get involved in the weeks ahead and let their comments be known to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

"I believe the Corps will listen to the comments of the citizens, and that's why I urge that they have specifics -- and photographs, too -- specific information that they need to know. I don't think they began to realize after the draw down how consequential this was and negative it was," Wilson said. "But the photos speak for themselves. It was much more significant than they anticipated."

The public comment period is ongoing and gives the community a chance to weigh in until April 16.