Utility transmission tower collapses into Congaree River, according to riverkeeper

A large transmission tower is resting in the Congree River after collapsing, according to the Congaree Riverkeeper.

The riverkeeper, a nonprofit organization that says it works to protect the Broad, Saluda and Congaree rivers, posted Tuesday on the social media platform X that a sizable transmission tower maintained by Santee Cooper has collapsed into the Congaree River.

Santee Cooper spokesperson Mollie Gore confirmed the tower is on its system, but has been “de-energized and not affecting our power delivery.”

Gore attributed increased water currents behind Hurricane Helene as the cause of the tower’s collapse.

“HEADS UP: A Santee Cooper transmission tower collapsed into the Congaree River,” the organization wrote on X. “This is downstream of I-77, just above the ‘big sandbar’ and across from the mouth of Congaree Creek.”