Aiken in Aiken County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Power of Water
A Growing Problem
Did you know there was a time when you could step across Sand River? It was a dry riverbed except when it rained. Aiken's stormwater runoff naturally flows into Sand River. It worked well for many years until Aiken grew and the amount of runoff that fowled into Sand River increased dramatically.
An Innovative Solution
The City of Aiken developed an innovative solution to catch and release rainwater and stop the terrible erosion effecting Hitchcock Woods. In fact, you are standing on it! Engineers installed two large underground vaults that capture the stormwater. The collected water stays in the vaults and is absorbed into the ground.
The vaults are controlled by a Continuous Monitoring and Adaptive Control system which monitors rain forecasts in real time. If a large storm is expected, water is released slowly before the storm to reduce the chance of ground erosion.
What to look for:
Sand River can become quicksand after a heavy rain. Watch for the Danger Quicksand signs.
Did you know?
A single rain event can produce 100,000 gallons of water per minute.
Erected 2022 by the City of Aiken and the Hitchcock
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Environment • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 33° 33.362′ N, 81° 43.536′ W. Marker is in Aiken, South Carolina, in Aiken County. It is on South Boundary Avenue Southwest west of Laurens Street Southwest, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 333 Laurens St SW, Aiken SC 29801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Augusta and in the Midlands. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of
Credits. This page was last revised on January 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 22, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 30 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 22, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
