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Built around the city's original waterworks, Riverfront Park opened in 1983 for recreational usage. This park was planned around the site of the world's first electrically operated textile mill and the city's original waterworks and hydroelectric plant, the oldest one in the state and it is still operating.
The park, which separates the Historic Columbia Canal and the convergence of the Congaree, Saluda, and Broad Rivers is approximately 167 acres.
There are two entrances and although they are connected, those not wishing to walk the entire trail, can experience the park from either entrance. Each entrance offers a different experience. The two RV Gypsies first entered from the North Entrance via a narrow dirt road, lined with beautiful trees. |
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Leaving the parking lot and crossing the walkway to the other side of the canal, the two RV Gypsies studied the lock system which is no longer in use. |
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The photo below on the left shows the walkway over the canal.
The photo below on the right is a view from the upper walkway. |
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The photos below show each side of the upper walkway shown above. |
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Then the two RV Gypsies walked around the historical buildings and noticed the nice, clean bathrooms with regular toilets and sinks plus water bowls for pets. There were historical and informative signs everywhere. |
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The sign below says that in 1891, a diversion dam provided water for the Columbia Canal, built across the Broad River. The dam, 1,2021 feet long was made of pine and granite. Additional locks and gates were added. In 1900 it was called the Broad River Dam. Now it is referred to as the Canal Diversion Dam. |
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A short, but somewhat steep paved hill led the two RV Gypsies down to a nice area to enjoy the dam and views around the area. |
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Below: Houses across the way - barely seeable in the first photo. |
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Below: View looking back up at the historical building (now a restroom). The two RV Gypsies walked back up the path and took a photo of the paved pathway by the canal. |
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The two RV Gypsies decided not to walk the easy, nicely paved trail on the levy between the canal and Broad River (shown in the photo above) until the return trip, when they learned a lot of history from the historical signs along the way. This is actually known as part of The Three Rivers Greenway Trail which goes from the South Entrance to here at the canal diversion dam. This is part of a beautiful series of riverfront pathways at the confluence of the Broad, Saluda and Congaree rivers.
The two RV Gypsies took another look down at the dam, then they took the path on the other side of the main path. At first it was paved, but then it became a dirt trail. |
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Occasionally the two RV Gypsies were able to take short, side paths to get closer to the river. |
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Karen Duquette wanted to feel the temperature of the water. (It was quite cold). She hung onto the large tree branch to hopefully keep her from falling into the fast flowing river. |
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Eventually, the two RV Gypsies got a glimpse of a bale of turtles. |
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Then the two RV Gypsies arrived at the bridge that crosses over Broad River and saw more turtles. |
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The Broad River is a principal tributary of the Congaree River, about 150 miles long, in western North Carolina and northern South Carolina in the United States. Via the Congaree, it is part of the watershed of the Santee River, which flows to the Atlantic Ocean.
The Congaree Riverkeepers geographical scope includes a 22-mile stretch of the Broad River, from the Parr Shoals Reservoir located in Newberry County down to its confluence with the Lower Saluda River, located within the City of Columbia. |
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The two RV Gypsies went under the land side of the bridge and up the embankment, then up a steep walkway to a sidewalk by the road. |
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Sticking her camera lens between the rails of the fence, Karen Duquette got photos of the dam in the far distance. Then she was able to zoom in on the dam and the turtles. |
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Below: A bale of turtles on the rocks. Plus two turtles on a rock. Notice that one turtle seems to be "hugging" the other turtle. How Cute!!! |
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Heading back to their car in the parking lot, the two RV Gypsies enjoyed the easy paved trail by the canal. They stopped several times to read more signs. |
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Below: The two RV Gypsies took their last peek at the dam through the trees. |
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