The health of the Reedy River is improving — but there’s still work to do. The 2025 Reedy Report Card highlights years of effort by the Reedy River Water Quality Group and its partners to protect and restore this vital waterway.
Tracking progress
The report card tracks water quality, recreation, wildlife, and overall river health across the Reedy watershed. Key improvements include:
- Phosphorus concentrations reduced by more than 50% since the 1990s; the Reedy was removed from SCDES’s impaired water list at Boyd’s Millpond in 2016.
- ReWa upgraded two water recovery facilities, cutting phosphorus discharge by over 90%.
- Riparian buffer rules now protect streams from erosion and harmful runoff.
- Stormwater management programs in Greenville County and the City of Greenville reduce sediment during construction projects.
Challenges remain
- Nitrogen levels in Lake Greenwood and Boyd’s Mill Pond remain high and are expected to rise with population growth.
- E. coli spikes after rainfall due to pets, wildlife, and aging sewer systems — dog owners, pick up after your pets.
The Reedy River Water Quality Group continues to monitor, protect, and improve the river, from its spring-fed streams in Travelers Rest to its confluence with Lake Greenwood. Citizens can explore individual projects, track progress, and learn more.
Asked
What will you do to help water quality in Greenville County?
A. Pick up after your pet
B. Plant a native riparian buffer next to streams on your property
C. Reduce fertilizer, pesticide, and insecticide
D. Make sure only rain goes down the drain
E. All of the above
