South Carolina Waters Open Explorer Expedition #3--Lake Moultrie

South Carolina Waters Expedition #3 took us to the shores of Lake Moultrie, particularly the Hatchery Waterfowl Management Area. The weather was on the cool side and the skies were mostly cloudy on this late February day, so wildlife activity for the most part was at a minimal.

Upon arrival at the parking area, the expedition team scouted the area for the best location to set up and deploy the OpenROV Trident. A short hike brought us to the shores of Lake Moultrie where we discovered an intrusive plant growing on the beach and thousands of small clam shells along with evidence of the sad side of human activity and disrespect for the environment, trash was strewn all over the sand and adjacent vegetation.

Intentionally or unintentionally, humans can impact their natural environment in several different ways, but for every action there is a reaction, and the consequences can either turn out for the good or for the bad. The formation of Lake Moultrie in South Carolina is an example of one way. In this case, the goal was to produce electricity for a growing population, which you would consider to be a good thing. Another way is through the introduction of foreign species, whether intentionally or unintentionally, into an ecosystem that offers no checks or balances for the intruder.

We encountered species not native to South Carolina that have found its way into the lake's ecosystem. Two of them producing adverse effects and one with a fascinating appetite, and the most likely culprit, human activity. One is a very intrusive plant, the second has had a destructive effect on the native clam populations, and the third is a mystery as to how it got here. The following video will discuss this in more detail.


While part of the team did some trash pickup, Rick Olson deployed his kayak to scout out a water impoundment adjacent to the beach where the waters appeared clearer than the other areas of the hatchery. As he kayaked the impoundment, he found a dead yellow-bellied turtle and tried to determine what caused its demise. There was no damage to the shell, but the turtle was missing an eye. A microscope was used and pictures were taken, but no conclusive reason could be found. Possibly, someone fishing may have hooked it.

We launched the OpenROV from two different spots and underwater video was taken. The bottom of the water impoundment was thick with seaweed and the props on the ROV had to be cleared several times. This is where Rick and his kayak played the integral role of retrieving and clearing the ROV of the intrusive seaweed, thus saving Dave Eslinger from having to get wet again.


Some of the seaweed was collected and pictures were taken with the microscope. Interestingly, small insects were found clinging to the foliage. Some samples were saved to be studied later. We look forward to viewing the underwater video in detail after it is uploaded for examination to see what was captured on our expedition to Lake Moultrie's Hatchery Waterfowl Management Area.

Following are some additional information about Lake Moultrie's freshwater clams:

Freshwater mussels serve as indicators of a healthy ecosystem. Mussels filter large volumes of water, removing food items such as algae, bacteria, diatoms and fine particulate organic material. It is a clear sign that something is wrong when mussels begin to disappear from a water body.

An invading species, such the Asian clam, competes with the native species for food and habitat resources. The Asian clam has been blamed for the decline and local extinctions of several native freshwater mussel species in the waters it has invaded, including South Carolina.

Native freshwater clam to South Carolina

South Carolina Waters Expedition 2--Four Holes Swamp, Francis Beidler Forest

South Carolina Waters Expedition 2 took the team into the interior of South Carolina to a place called Four Holes Swamp--a dark tannin-stained slow-flowing river swamp known as a blackwater swamp and a tributary to the Edisto River. Thousand-year-old trees and native wildlife abound in this pristine sanctuary. There are over 70 species of reptiles and amphibians and 140 species of birds have been reported. As a bird watching photographer, you can really spread your wings.

Located in the heart of the Lowcountry between Columbia and Charleston, Four Holes Swamp is a 45,000-acre matrix of sloughs and lakes. It contains 18,000 acres of the largest remaining stand of virgin bald cypress and tupelo gum swamp forest remaining anywhere in the world. These wetlands are also home to the dwarf trillium (Trillium pusillum)--a rare flower found only in South Carolina at Four Holes Swamp.

Within Four Holes Swamp is the 15,000 acre National Audubon Society's Francis Beidler Forest where an educational center and a 1.75 mile self-guided boardwalk trail are located. The expedition team rendezvoused at the visitor center where we linked up with Mark Musselman, the Land Manager in Four Holes Swamp. Mark accompanied us on our trek over the boardwalk to Goodson Lake. Along the way, he shared with us his extensive knowledge of the swamp and with a sharp eye, pointed out the unique features of the swamp and its camouflaged wildlife--mostly the serpentine kind.

The launching point for the team's Trident was a two story observation deck deep within the swamp. Dave Eslinger unpacked the ROV and made the necessary connections. It wasn't long before our unusual activity drew the attention of curious visitors to the swamp, one of them being an inquisitive little girl with a boat load of questions, but Dave, a very personable individual, was willing to accommodate, thus fulfilling a primary objective of the team's explorations--to raise public awareness and appreciation for South Carolina's most cherished assets, its waterways and coastal estuaries, especially with the young.

The midday temperature was in the high 50's with only a slight breeze shuffling the branches of the surrounding ancient trees. With the overhead canopy open at this time of year, the sun shined through the upper branches onto the lower vegetation and the countless fallen trees strewn about in the dark waters. Not to far away, a nine foot alligator passively soaked in what sunshine was being made available to it. The ROV was launched into the black tea colored waters and it wasn't long before we were confronted with the complexity of the underwater world of the swamp.

As the Trident cruised along under the water taking some stunning video, the ROV's tether inevitably became entangled around the numerous submerged fallen logs and branches. Unable to get the ROV to surface, the unavoidable now faced the team--someone was going get "swamped today" and enter the 50-some degree water to retrieve the entrapped ROV, and that person was our pertinacious team leader. Stripped down to his undershorts, Dave entered the stimulating 8-foot deep water and after several attempts, successfully rescued the valuable Trident.


Unlike the clear, aqua blue waters of the tropics and coral reefs of the Caribbean, South Carolina's waters offer a greater challenge to operate an ROV in. Each expedition logistically teaches us something new, preparing us for the challenges to come on future expeditions.

Highlight: If you watch the underwater video very carefully you will see the ancient predator fish called a bowfin.


South Carolina Waters
National Geographic Open Explorer
S.E.E. Initiative

Team member Rick Olson kayaking Four Holes Swamp.