BMP Handbook
The BMP Handbook is provided below as a complete download and as individual sections. This handbook evaluates numerous Best Management Practices (BMPs) by detailing BMP usage, installation, inspection, maintenance, and design specifications. The handbook also provides design aids that give guidance on how to determine trapping efficiencies of various Sediment Control BMPs. The proper use of BMPs…, Update: , The Department will be revising sections of the BMP Handbook on a section-by-section basis, and due to these revisions the full version of the manual has been taken down. All sections of the handbook are still available through the links provided below. , LIDs, Low Impact Development is a concept that addresses stormwater management at its source. The NPDES General Permit for Storm Water Discharges From Large and Small Construction Activities requires that areas disturbed by construction reach ", final stabilization, " before permit coverage can be terminated. The process towards, final stabilization, is typically initiated by applying topsoil or compost, planting a mix of grass and forbs seeds, and fertilizing areas of bare soil that resulted from construction activities disturbing these areas. These disturbed areas must establish a "permanent" cover of desirable vegetation that's at least 70% as dense as the pre-disturbed vegetative cover in order to be considered as reaching, final stabilization, . Stabilization measures, in general, should be initiated as soon as practicable in portions of the site where constructions activities have temporarily or permanently ceased. All disturbed areas should be stabilized within 14 days of when any construction activities have ceased., SCDES BMP Handbook, BMP Field Manual, (18.94 MB), List of Acronyms, Basic Design Procedures, Engineering Aids, Alternative BMPs, Innovative Technologies, IDEAL Model, Water Quality Control, BMP Construction Details (CAD), , (Revised 2026), Appendix A - BMP Guidelines, Appendix B - BMP Selection Flowchart, Appendix C - Seeding Rate Tables, Appendix D - Wetland Vegetation, Appendix E - Soils, Appendix F - SC Rainfall Data, Appendix G - Erosion Control Standard Details, Appendix H - Sediment Control Standard Details, , (Revised March 2014), Appendix I - Runoff Control Standard Details, , (Revised March 2014), Appendix J - Water Quality Standard Details, Appendix K - Figures, Erosion Prevention BMPs, Erosion Prevention, Surface Roughening, Temporary Seeding, Mulching, Erosion Control Blankets, Turf Reinforcement Mats, Flexible Growth Media, Bonded Fiber Matrix, Permanent Seeding, Sodding, Riprap, Outlet Protection, Dust Control, Polyacrylamide (PAM), Sediment Control BMPs, Sediment Control, Sediment Basin, , (Revised March 2014), Sediment Trap, Silt Fence, Rock Checks, Sediment Tubes, Construction Entrance, Inlet Protection (IP), Filter Fabric IP, Sediment Tube IP, Wire Mesh and Stone IP, Block and Gravel IP, Rigid IP, Surface Course Curb IP, Inlet Tubes, Rock Sediment Dikes, Runoff Control and Conveyance BMPs, Runoff Control And Conveyance Measures, Pipe Slope Drains, Temporary Stream Crossing, Diversion Measures, Level Spreader, Subsurface Drains, Construction Dewatering, Low Impact Development (LID) BMPs, Vegetated Conveyance Swales, Stream Buffers, Disconnected Roof Tops, Cluster Development, Natural Infiltration, Structural Water Quality BMPs, Structural Controls, Wet Detention Ponds, Dry Detention Ponds, Underground Detention Systems, Storm Water Wetlands, Bioretention Areas, Infiltration Trench, Enhanced Dry Swales, Pre-fabricated Control Devices, Vegetated Filter Strips, Porous SurfacingBeach Monitoring
Surface Water Program
BCM Gears up for Annual Beachfront Structural Inventory
Earlier this month, staff at the Bureau of Coastal Management participated in training to prepare for BCM’s annual Beachfront Structural Inventory field work. This field effort occurs every spring and assists BCM in maintaining an inventory of habitable structures, pools and erosion control structures located within the state’s beachfront jurisdiction. The Beachfront Structural Inventory is part…Flooding - What to Do
If your land and septic system are ever flooded, follow this advice:, Do not use your sinks and toilets if the soil around your home and septic system is saturated and flooded. Your septic system will not work. Plug all drains in the basement and drastically reduce water use until the system has time to recover. If you clean up flood waters inside your home or basement, do not dump the water in your sink or toilet. Do not open the septic tank or have it pumped it…Water Summit
Approved Watershed Plans
Project SpotlightsContract and Procurement Opportunities
Preparing & Responding to Events at Your Dam
If a dam is failing or failure is imminent, your first call should be to 911., Tropical weather events have caused many South Carolina dams to fail in recent years. Hurricanes and tropical storms can create intense rainfall and strong winds, which can lead to dam damage or failure. Heavy rains can overwhelm a dam's storage ability and lead to dam overtopping, erosion, and failure. Strong winds can topple trees, which can create voids or embankment losses. These can provide …, Preparation, When a significant rainfall event or a storm that can generate high winds is imminent, dam owners should: Evaluate the current water level behind the dam and determine if the water level needs to be safely lowered to provide extra capacity for incoming flows. the rate of water level lowering must be carefully managed as lowering too quickly can trigger a sloughing/sliding on the upstream slope…, Controlling Water Level, The best way to protect your dam from failure is to have additional storage capacity available to handle storm rainfall and to have an effective way to lower water in the reservoir. This prevents the dam from overtopping, which can rapidly lead to dam failure and the entire reservoir being released. Please ensure spillways are functioning and clear of debris before the storm arrives to ensure…, immediately, . As a short-term measure, you may be able to install temporary siphons to provide additional drainage capacity. These may assist as a stopgap in preparation for tropical weather and other large rainfall events and in response to an emergency at your dam but should not be relied on for long-term water control. Additional details about temporary siphons and preparing for storms can be found in our…, Carefully Assess Your Dam, Once the storm event has passed and it is safe to do so, please conduct a brief visual inspection of your dam. If the storm has caused damage to the structure, you should take steps to address the damage as soon as possible. Some maintenance activities can be conducted without a department-issued permit but for more significant repairs, a permit may be required. If you have detected a potential…, Debris-clogged spillways, . Remove accumulated debris if it is safe and feasible to do so. debris image, Major Erosion, . This may impact the dam's integrity and may need to be repaired under a permit. Please contact the program for assistance Water image , Large slumps or slides , Check for new or larger slumps or slides in the earthen dam and contact the program immediately if observed. These can impact the integrity of the dam. Landslide image Landslide image 2, If dam failure appears imminent, implement your Emergency Action Plan immediately. If you do not have a plan, call 911 and , County Emergency Management Contacts, You may report any concerns or damage to SCDES Dam Safety Program staff at any time at our 24hr technical assistance line at, 803-898-1939King Tides - You Can Help!
2026 Predicted King Tides, April 18 May 15-18 June 14-16 July 13-14 August 11-12 September 29-30 October 10-11 October 26-29 November 24-27, King Tides - You Can Help!, SCDES is leading the South Carolina King Tides initiative to document the effect that extreme tide events have on our state's beaches, coastal waterways, private property and public infrastructure. South Carolina Kin Tides Initiative logo The term "King Tide" is a non-scientific term used to describe the highest seasonal tides that occur each year. For example, in Charleston, the average high…, Over time, the frequency and effect of King Tide events may increase due to gradual mean sea level rise, ., Get Involved, SCDES needs your help to capture photographs of King Tide events. Please refer to the, SCDES Tide Chart, for predicted dates and times and then use our mobile app on, MyCoast: South Carolina, to submit pictures from your smart phone. SCDES will evaluate your photographs and include them in long-term analysis of coastal vulnerability and planning initiatives with municipalities. SCDES may also use your photographs in presentations, publications, and on its website. Tips for Effective King Tides Photos Take pictures at or near peak high tide. Take pictures where the impact of the tide…, King Tides Initiative, is an international, public engagement program spreading to coastal areas throughout the United States and abroad. The initiative began in Australia in 2009, to encourage the public to photo-document the highest seasonal tides (dubbed "King Tides" at that time) they had seen in almost 20 years. They received over 2,000 photos. Interests in the program soon spread to the west coast of North…, The King Tides Project: Snap the Shore, See the Future, Definitions Syzygy - Alignment of the sun, moon, and Earth, which happens during the new and full moon phases. Spring Tides - The effects of syzygy that increase tidal force and cause tides to range significantly. Perigee - Occurs when the moon reaches the closest point to Earth during the 28-day elliptical orbit. Perigean Spring Tide - Occurs when the moon is closest to Earth during a spring…, Lexi Mitchell, .