Blackwater 2016 plans announced

PRESENTATION FROM DNR HYDROLOGISTS HIGHLIGHTS FRIENDS OF THE EDISTO BLACKWATER SUMMER FESTIVAL

Columbia.  Friends of the Edisto (FRED) President Tim Rogers announced that SCDNR Hydrologists Joe Gellici and Alex Pellett will make a presentation and answer questions at FRED’s Blackwater Summer Festival on June 18 at Aiken State Park. Gellici is the chief hydrologist at DNR.  Pellett’s primary job responsibility at DNR is to oversee the development of surface water quantity models for the state’s major river basins.  Field research on the Edisto was recently completed as a part of the modeling project, and FRED members are eager to ask questions about the process and its implications, according to Rogers.

Pellett holds degrees from the University of Texas and from Clemson and is a Peace Corps veteran.  He will integrate questions and concerns from FRED members as feedback in his work on the modeling project. 

 “This will be an excellent opportunity to ask questions about the status of the project, and how it will help increase our understanding of the health and vitality of the Edisto,” Rogers said. Mr. Gellici is a senior policy-maker at DNR, and Mr. Pellett works closely with this process and FRED members are eager to learn more about their perspectives, said Rogers.

The fourth annual Blackwater Festival will feature exhibits from Carolina Wildlife Care, nature walks, live bluegrass music, and a delicious barbeque buffet luncheon.   There will be face-painting and a special nature walk for the kids.  The event is free to FRED members.  New members can join FRED at a special discount of ten dollars for their first annual membership.

For more information, contact Chris Paget at 803-256-4000 or [email protected].