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Virtual Fieldtrip: Congaree National Park

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Location

Richland County,30 Miles Southeast of Columbia

22,000 acre National Park

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On the Boardwalk

Elevated wood boardwalks allow park visitors to walk through thepark without getting their feet wet! Birds, squirrels, and turtles are

common sights.

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Flooding

Congaree National Park lies on the floodplain of the Congaree River… frequent flooding made it difficult for loggers to clear the trees, preserving the nations largest tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest

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Congaree River drives the frequent flooding of the Park

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Weston Lake was formed from the meandering of the Congaree River (see illustration on the right)…

lakes formed in this manner are called Oxbow Lakes.

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Congaree Park Trees

Hardwood Trees in the park include Bald Cypress, Tupelos, Oaks, and Willows

Loblolly Pines in the park reach enormous heights, the tallest of which is 169 feet!

Photo courtesy of the Eastern Native Tree Society

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Bald Cypress Trees

Bald Cypress “Knees” are a common sight in Congaree

Scientists believe the knees protrude from the ground to provide more air to the roots

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September 1989: Hurricane Hugo

Although the forest lost many trees from the hurricane, the storm also stimulated new growth

Hurricane Hugo knocked down hundreds of pines and hardwoods in Congaree

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Congaree Park: Unique Habitats

Even the dead trees in the Congaree serve an important role in providing shelter and homes for animals and birds

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Come Prepared for Mosquitoes!

The “Mosquito Meter” at the welcome center informs park visitors about the mosquito levels, which range from “All Clear” to “War Zone”