Old Santee Canal Park (S.C.)

Considered the first true canal in America, the Old Santee Canal in South Carolina was once an important site for trade and transportation.

Old Santee Canal Park (S.C.) Stop 1

Episode 1

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Rudy and Jim visit Old Santee Canal Park, a historic lowcountry area near Monck’s Corner, South Carolina. The area features a wide array of habitats, containing both native and non-native plants. Some...

Old Santee Canal Park (S.C.) Stop 1

Episode 2

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Rudy and Jim come across an Osprey, or “Fish Hawk” in a nearby tree.

Old Santee Canal Park (S.C.) Stop 2

Episode 3

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Limestone Trail – Along the trail, Rudy and Jim find an old kiln, left behind by inhabitants from around the 1860’s and 1880’s. Some of the plants that have come to dominate the old quarry area, are...

Old Santee Canal Park (S.C.) Stop 3

Episode 4

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Limestone Mall Bluff – These large rock outcroppings are estimated to be around 30 million years old. Here, we see an abundance of large ferns, Papaws, Redbuds, and Ash trees.

Old Santee Canal Park (S.C.) Stop 4

Episode 5

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Here at a higher elevation above the limestone, and where the soil is more loamy, we see more diverse plant life: White Oak trees, American Beech, Witch Hazel, Sparkleberry, and Switch Cane.

Old Santee Canal Park (S.C.) Stop 5

Episode 6

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Biggin Creek – Here at this wetland area, we see Duckweed, Mosquito Fern, Cypress trees, Spanish Moss, Wild Rice, Bur Marigold, Rose Hips, . Out in the water, Rudy and Jim spot a Great Blue Heron, and...

Old Santee Canal Park (S.C.) Stop 6

Episode 7

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

The Santee Canal – This canal took seven years to build, from 1793-1800, and is around 22 miles long. Duckweed and Pennywort are seen growing along the sides of the canal. Rudy and Jim find a Chain...

Old Santee Canal Park (S.C.) Stop 7

Episode 8

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Here, outside Old Santee Canal Park’s visitor center, we see a Green Jacket dragonfly, live oaks, Poison Ivy, Trumpet Creeper, Southern Sugar Maple, and a Yellow Bellied Sap-Sucker in a nearby...

Old Santee Canal Park (S.C.) Stop 8

Episode 9

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

The Visitor Center – The park and visitor center is a great place to learn about both natural and man-made history. The entrance to the park features a replica of what a lock in the canal looked like...