Work crews have begun to construct the Area 2 Cofferdam on the Congaree River near the Blossom Street Bridge in Cayce, according to the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control.

The removal of coal tar and sediment from the Area 1 Cofferdam was finalized in early August. More than 26,000 cubic yards of material was removed from the river near the Gervais Street Bridge. Crews have removed much of Cofferdam 1. The large sand bags were moved first. Then the pumps were moved. River water began to flow back into the site when the concrete walls of the cofferdam were removed.

Some of the material from the Area 1 Cofferdam is being used in the construction of the Area 2 Cofferdam. The Area 2 Cofferdam is much smaller, only a fifth of the size of the first cofferdam. If weather conditions allow, the Area 2 Cofferdam will be completed before winter.

The Unexploded Ordnance team completed clearing of Cell 2 of the Area 1 Cofferdam on June 17. The Civil War era artifacts recovered was turned over to state archaeologists for preservation. Below are photos of the Cofferdam 1 site and the Cofferdam 2 site.