Augusta, GA

Representatives approve language to keep current Augusta lock and dam

Published

1 year ago

July 26, 2024

Representatives approve language to keep current Augusta lock and dam

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A move to keep the current Savannah River Lock and Dam is being celebrated by Congressman Rick Allen.

The House of Representatives recently passed language halting the Army Corps plans to replace the dam with a rock weir across the river and it forces the pool to be maintained at a specific level.

The lock and dam have been at the center of a years-long controversy — and lawsuits — centered around the people’s needs versus the needs of fish reportedly impacted by the corps’ deepening of Savannah Harbor.

So, what does this new measure mean for you at home?

The Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam has seen better days, and once again, at the center of controversy.

The challenge? To maintain water levels but also protect fish in the Savannah River.

Allen says he has worked for years to find a permanent solution that works for everyone.

“One that works for job creators, municipalities, and our community alike,” said Allen.

The Army Corps of Engineers, which operates the lock and dam, wants a rock weir to control water flow with water flowing over the weir instead of through a spillway.

It’s something Allen finds a problem with.

“Maroon boats and docks on the ground, excess debris, mud flaps, the riverbanks caving in, and these businesses not able to draw the water they need,” he said.

A plan by Allen calls for river levels between Augusta’s 5th Street bridge and the lock and dam to stay between 114.5 and 115 feet. It’s passed the House and now goes to the Senate.

Tonya Bonitatibus, with the Savannah Riverkeepers, worries the plan doesn’t account for the impact on fish.

“It actually excludes sturgeon from the language, which is a huge problem,” said Bonitatibus.

Bonitatibus says she understands that maintaining the water level is critical.

But so are the fish.

“It’s this big, complicated mess of a huge amount of federal funds that need to be spent here on fish passage that now a bunch of people are fighting over what that solution looks like,” she said.

It’s been an expensive fight — one involving lawsuits.

“We can’t get people to sit down at a rational table and negotiate per the different agencies to come up with a solution that meets all the needs of the project,” said Bonitatibus.

She says the plan doesn’t account for who is going to maintain the lock and dam or how to pay for it.

“We’re just continuing this. I don’t care about the fish. Let me just take the money and then also leave this unfunded mandate,” said Bonitatibus.

It’s a fight as murky as the waters of the Savannah River.

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Augusta, GA

Ga. gubernatorial candidate Geoff Duncan visits Augusta

Published

12 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

Ga. gubernatorial candidate Geoff Duncan visits Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan hosted a community conversation in Augusta on Friday.

The event at the HUB for Community Innovation was the final stop of a statewide tour highlighting his fight to bring down housing costs.

Duncan heard from local experts in the housing space and discussed how he says he can expand these efforts and lower costs for families as governor.

Duncan is running as a Democrat, but was a Republican when he served as lieutenant governor.

The former professional baseball player is a fierce opponent of Republican President Donald Trump.

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Augusta, GA

Richmond County school board recommendations spark community reaction

Published

24 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

Richmond County school board recommendations spark community reaction

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Richmond County School Board’s recommendation to close three schools and build a new college and career academy has drawn reaction from across the community.

The board announced its recommendation on Tuesday to close Jenkins White Elementary and transition the T.W. Josey High and Murphy Middle school site into a college and career academy.

Board member Monique Braswell, speaking as an individual and not on behalf of the board, said she opposes the plan despite acknowledging that that schools need to close due to low attendance.

“I will go on to see glory and I will still never accept it. I will never accept the fact that we are displacing children. I will never accept the fact that if T.W. Josey goes away,” Braswell said. “I will take that to the grave with me.”

Braswell said the district needs to examine underlying causes before making changes.

“We need to figure out why the kids are not going to here, there, and there,” she said. “And we need to take the communities and all the alumni along with us on this ride.”

Sheffie Robinson, president of the T.W. Josey High School Alumni Association, said the proposed changes would disrupt an already affected community. According to the presentation, students would be redistributed to Butler, Laney and Richmond Academy.

“So it’s like you disrupt a community that was built around this that has already had significant disruption over the last 30 years,” Robinson said.

We’re taking a bigger look at the Richmond County School System’s plan for several historic schools.

Under the recommendation, the Josey-Murphy site would close and construction of the college and career academy would start after this school year. Jenkins White Elementary School would also close.

Barton Chapel would be demolished, with a new building constructed for fall 2028.

Michael Thurman, who has three children in Richmond County Schools, questioned the district’s financial management.

“They really need to do a better job of being stewards of our money when they keep building left and right, school after school after school, and tearing down the others,” Thurman said.

Thurman said the district’s past spending raises concerns about the current plan.

“They definitely need to also take in mind that you’re just really wasting a lot of money building these buildings,” he said.

The district said alumni and community members will have opportunities to voice their opinions before the board votes. Public meetings are planned for January.

Braswell emphasized the importance of community engagement in the process.

“The public has to be more engaged. I don’t care if people push you away. You just have to stay engaged as the public,” she said.

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Augusta, GA

Another portion of Augusta Canal towpath is reopening to public

Published

1 day ago

December 18, 2025

Press Room

Another portion of Augusta Canal towpath is reopening to public

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Another section of the Augusta Canal towpath is reopening after being closed since Hurricane Helene.

The storm on Sept. 27, 2024, left the path strewn with debris as broken branches hung precarously overhead.

On Friday, the path will reopen between the raw water pump station and the Interstate 20 bridge.

In preparation, crews have made safety improvements along the previously closed section of the trail.

Visitors are asked to observe all posted signs and stay behind safety barriers.

Embankment repairs have been delayed, but will take place in the future.

Once repair work begins, portions of the towpath will be temporarily closed at various times. Advance notice will be shared with the public before any closures.

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