Portions of Riverfront Park will be closed for six months as of June 2 for construction of new water plant intake

As of Monday, June 2, a portion of the Riverfront Park trail will be temporarily closed for approximately six months as Columbia Water begins construction on a new water intake on the Broad River. This critical work must take place during this specific timeframe in order to comply with environmental assessments and regulatory requirements designed to protect the river ecosystem.

The construction project includes the installation of barges in the canal and the building of a cofferdam in the river. The closure affects areas immediately downstream of the I-126 Bridge and the railroad trestle.

Although a section of the trail will be closed, the north and south ends of Riverfront Park will remain open to the public. Visitors can still access up to two miles of trail from the north entrance at 4122 River Drive, and approximately half a mile from the south entrance at 312 Laurel Street. Key features such as the south end restrooms, the historic waterworks, and the grassy amphitheater will remain accessible throughout the closure.

During this period, the Columbia Parks & Recreation Department encourages residents and visitors to enjoy nearby alternatives such as the Saluda Riverwalk (650 Candi Lane) and Granby Park (100 Catawba Street).

This work is part of the Resilient Water Supply project and ongoing efforts to improve and protect Columbia’s water infrastructure. For more information, please visit Columbia Water’s website here.