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282 Thorpe St, Summerville, SC 29483
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282 Thorpe St, Summerville, SC 29483
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Commercial Electrician in Great Falls, SC

If you own a business, you should already know that at some point, you will need to hire an electrician in Great Falls to fix electrical issues and maintain your property's wiring systems. Unfortunately, many people forego certified, experienced electricians to save money. The reality is, trying to fix an electrical issue in your business is no small task and often costs more money than hiring a professional. Working with electricity can be dangerous to your property and, more importantly, your health.

It might seem like a good idea to try a DIY approach or call your "do it all" local handyman, but going pro will save you time and money when it comes to serious projects like thermal imaging and three-phase panel installations. Think about it: why spend money buying expensive supplies and countless hours watching electrical repair videos when there's a good chance you'll need professional help in the end? Many DIY electricians have good intentions but often end up damaging electrical systems worse than before.

At Engineered Electrical Solutions, we get the job done right the first time, so you can focus on enjoying running your business while we fix your electrical problem. We bring the same level of quality and reliability to every job we perform, whether it's a routine safety inspection or an entire commercial rewiring project. Unlike some electricians in South Carolina, we go above and beyond to ensure our customers are safe and satisfied with our work. We pride ourselves on keeping customers informed throughout their electrical job and follow up on our projects to make sure our fixes stick.

Service Areas

At the end of the day, excellent customer care is what we strive to achieve. We do so by providing the highest quality commercial services at affordable prices, all year long. Here are just a few reasons why Lowcountry residents trust Engineered Electrical Solutions:

  • We Have Decades of Electrical Repair Experience
  • We Offer Customer-Centric Electrical Services
  • We Treat Your Property Like Our Own
  • Our Electricians Provide Quality, Efficient Work
  • We Are Licensed, Bonded, and Insured Electricians in South Carolina
  • Commercial Electrician Services
  • Industrial Electrician Services

If you're looking for the very best electrician in South Carolina, put down the pen and paper and look no further than Engineered Electrical Solutions. Keep reading to learn more about some of our most popular services.

Commercial Electrical Great Falls, SC

Your Trustworthy Commercial Electrician in Great Falls

Having a reliable electrician on hand that you can trust with electrical repairs is of utmost importance when you own a business in South Carolina. For years, Engineered Electrical Solutions has provided business owners with the most effective electrical repair and installation services in the Lowcountry. Our team is adept at assisting businesses of all sizes, from small "mom and pop" shops to industrial plants and everything in between.

 Electrical Repair Great Falls, SC

We offer a wide range of electrical services, from electrical panel installation and business rewiring to transformer installation and thermal imaging. Modern businesses count on energy-efficient electricity to help run their day-to-day operations. If you need your electrical systems to run smoothly so you can stay focused on building your business, count on Engineered Electrical Solutions to be there when you need us the most.

A few of our most popular commercial and industrial electrical services include but are not limited to:

  • Parking Lot Light Installation
  • Transformer Installation
  • Electrical Safety Inspections
  • Circuit Testing for Businesses
  • Electrical Grounding for Businesses
  • Preventative Maintenance for Electrical Equipment
  • Generator and Motor Insulation Resistance Analysis
  • Electrical Wiring for New Businesses
  • Electrical Troubleshooting for Businesses
  • Electrical Service Upgrades
  • Ongoing Maintenance Plans for Vital Electrical Equipment

Why is Hiring a Commercial Electrician in Great Falls, SC, a Good Idea?

As a business owner, you know first-hand that closing your doors costs money, time, and possibly your clients. That's why, when you have an electrical issue that must be remedied, you need quick, cost-efficient help so you can keep running your business. But trusting the job of a trained electrician in the hands of an amateur can be a big mistake.

Sure, your uncle may know how to flip a few switches on the breaker in your home, but serving a commercial business is an entirely different animal. In fact, trusting your company's electrical needs to just anyone can end up costing you more in the long run. Here are just a few of the most important reasons to consider hiring an experienced commercial electrical contractor.

 Electrical Panel Installation Great Falls, SC

Adherence to South Carolina Electrical Codes

Did you know there is a litany of regulations and codes you must follow when servicing electrical components in a commercial setting? From remodels to maintenance, a knowledgeable electrician will know these codes in and out. If they don't, they've got the reference material and support to ensure their work is up to standard. Taking the time to hire a commercial electrical company with vetted technicians means you don't have to worry about legal fines and reprimands for not adhering to regulations associated with common services like commercial lighting installations and upgrades.

 Electrical Safety Inspection Great Falls, SC

Specialized Skills and Advanced Training

In general, a commercial electrical contractor in Great Falls, SC, must undergo extensive training and pass more tests in order to practice their trade in South Carolina. Like their counterparts in the residential electrical business, they must both pass exams and complete apprenticeships. But commercial electricians have more in-depth training. They must also prove their knowledge of the National Electrical Code, or NEC, which encompasses safety procedures and building codes in the U.S. The advanced training that commercial electricians complete sets the foundation for services such as:

 Electrical Safety Upgrades Great Falls, SC
  • Commercial Electrical Panel Maintenance and Replacement
  • Emergency Electrical Services for Businesses, Warehouses, Facilities, Etc.
  • Commercial Wiring and Electrical Component Installation
  • Commercial Retrofits
  • Commercial Renovations, Remodels, and Electrical for New Construction
  • Much More

When you break it down to the basics, commercial electricians in the Lowcountry require more experience because of factors like safety, complexity, and reliability. It's not unusual for a contractor to complete over 4,000 hours of on-the-job experience, to learn about complicated topics like voltage and phase balancing, control systems, and phase diagrams.

Avoid Electrical Hazards

If you're like most people, you hire professionals like corporate lawyers, helicopter pilots, and commercial electricians to handle the things you don't have the skills to do yourself. Because, if we're being honest, many services provided by commercial electrical contractors are dangerous and even downright deadly. While you can find "How-To" articles that insist that this type of work is simple, taking on an electrical project for your business can have catastrophic consequences - both for your business and for the family you're supporting.

Hiring a commercial electrician for your business safeguards you, your employees, and your business. That's because they're trained to spot commercial electrical hazards and have the tools to fix the problem correctly and according to South Carolina regulations.

 Electrical Service Upgrades Great Falls, SC
 Electrician For My Business Great Falls, SC

Minimize Cost

Some business owners make it a point to hire non-professionals to handle their electrical work, thinking they'll save money in the long run. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. Cutting corners and hiring unlicensed friends or family members creates hazards that will set your company back much more than it would to hire a qualified commercial electrician. Mistakes are costly and often end up with you having to close your business while they're corrected. This downtime will affect your ability to do business and may even affect your brand loyalty and customer base.

5 Tips for Lowering Your Commercial Energy Costs

Energy mismanagement - it's one of the most common ways that businesses lose unnecessary money every year. Though every business in South Carolina will eventually face some sort of energy waste, that doesn't mean you have to settle for expenses you can prevent. At Engineered Electrical Solutions, we're all about supporting our fellow business owners. To help you reduce electrical costs, follow these five tips.

light
01

Upgrade Your Lights

In terms of low-cost solutions, this one is among the best. If you've been using incandescent bulbs throughout your business, try installing compact fluorescents instead. They can last 9x longer and save you money over time. While you're at it, remove any incandescent lights powering exit signs in your building. Replace them with LED alternatives.

Lighting Control
02

Efficient Lighting Control Plans

Did you grow up in a household where your mom or dad constantly reminded you to turn off the lights when you're done in a room? That same basic principle holds true here. If lights are left on unnecessarily, be sure they're turned off before closing for the day. If you find that doesn't help, you may need to develop a shift-based system to turn off lights. Our team of commercial electricians for your business in cityname, state, have the expertise to help you establish a system to lower energy waste without affecting your company's productivity.

HVAC Maintenance
03

Perform HVAC Maintenance

According to the Small Business Administration, HVAC use accounts for nearly 40% of energy use in commercial buildings. It's clear, then, that poor-performing HVAC systems can rack up monthly energy costs quickly. To prevent this from getting out of control, make sure your AC and heating units are well-maintained and free of expensive issues. You may want to also consider installing programmable thermostats, which can automatically control the temperature settings on your property to help maximize your energy savings.

Insulate
04

Insulate

The EPA states that keeping your commercial building properly insulated can save you as much as 10% on your energy bill. Don't settle for obvious areas like walls and windows. Be sure your electrical outlets, pipes, and HVAC ducts are properly insulated too.

Energy Management
05

Consider an Energy Management System

At Engineered Electrical Solutions, we can provide you with an energy audit for your business that pinpoints areas of energy waste and how those areas can be improved. Having an electrical assessment is a great idea for any business owner, especially if you have a storefront where customers come and go because it can help lower your overall operational costs.

Common Commercial Electrical Issues

Commercial and industrial-sized buildings are large and complex by the nature of their construction. By proxy, commercial buildings have complicated wiring and electrical systems. Electrical work in the commercial market is best left to experienced, licensed professionals. If you're looking for the very best commercial electricians in Metro Great Falls, Engineered Electrical Solutions is here to serve you.

We have completed hundreds of commercial electrician projects for companies like Blue Oyster Restaurant, Shell Gas Stations, Flex Warehouses, Dentist Offices, and many more. With the most up-to-date equipment and years of professional experience, our team is ready to tackle your electrical problem, no matter how large.

 Safety Inspection Great Falls, SC

Here are just a few of the common electrical issues that we solve for Lowcountry business owners:

Commercial Electrical Great Falls, SC

Tripped Circuit Breakers

Your businesses' electrical system will trip when it has too much electricity running through it. These problems are very common in commercial properties and usually stem from one of three culprits: circuit overloads, short circuits, and ground fault surges. Obviously, when your circuits are tripped regularly, your business operations suffer. To help solve your circuit breaker problems, our commercial electricians will come to your location for in-depth troubleshooting. Once we discover the root cause, we'll get to work on repairing your circuit breaker, so you can continue working and serving your customers.

 Electrical Repair Great Falls, SC

Flickering Lights

Like tripped circuit breakers, dimming or flickering lights are among the most common commercial electrical problems in South Carolina. These issues typically stem from poor electrical connections. These poor connections will usually cause sparks, which can start fires and wreak havoc on your commercial building. While dimming lights might seem minor, if you leave this problem to fester, you could be looking at permanent damage to your businesses' electrical systems. Given the danger involved in fixing this problem, it's important that you work with a licensed business electrician like Engineered Electrical Solutions as soon as you're able to.

 Electrical Panel Installation Great Falls, SC

Dead Power Outlets

Dead power outlets aren't always dangerous, unlike other recurring commercial electrical issues. They are, however, disruptive to your company's productivity. Dead outlets are common in older commercial buildings and are often caused by circuit overloads. Connecting multiple high-wattage devices and appliances to the same power socket can cause overheating. When the power outlet overheats, it can lead to tripped circuit breakers. In some cases, the live wire catches fire and burns until it is disconnected. For a reliable solution using high-quality switches, sockets, and circuit breakers, it's best to hire a professional business electrician to get the job done right.

Residential Electrician vs. Commercial Electrician in Great Falls: What's the Difference?

Finding a real-deal, qualified commercial electrician in South Carolina is harder than you might think. Whether it's due to availability or budget, you might be tempted to hire a residential electrician for your commercial electrical problem. While it's true that great residential electricians can help solve commercial issues in theory, it's always best to hire a business electrician with professional experience.

Unlike their residential colleagues, commercial electricians are licensed to deal with different materials and procedures suited specifically for businesses. Commercial wiring is much more complex than other wiring and is strategically installed with maintenance, repair, and changes in mind. Additionally, commercial properties usually use a three-phase power supply, necessitating more schooling, skills, and technical ability to service.

The bottom line? If you're a business owner with commercial electricity problems, it's best to work with a licensed commercial electrician, like you will find at Engineered Electrical Solutions.

Professional and Efficient from Call to Technician

Engineered Electrical Solutions has built its reputation on a simple formula: give our customers the highest-quality commercial electrical services, the most helpful customer service, and the best prices available in town.

As a veteran-owned and operated business, we take pride in good old-fashioned hard work and dedication to our craft. No upselling. No misleading fine print. Only quality electrical work and reliable commercial electricians in Great Falls, SC.

We want to be sure every one of our customers is satisfied, which is why we offer a three-year guaranteed on our labor. If you're in need of a commercial electrician for your business or organization, give our office a call and discover the Engineered Electrical Solutions difference.

phone-number843-735-2275

Free Estimate

Latest News in Great Falls, SC

Whitewater recreation set to open this weekend in Great Falls

GREAT FALLS, S.C. (CN2 NEWS) – The date is finally here, as part of an 80 million dollar project, a portion of the Great Falls Whitewater attraction by Duke Energy will open to the public this Saturday, March 18th.This is project that’s been years in the making, is set to bring new life to the town according to town leaders.“Duke Energy which brought Great Falls to life one hundred years ago, they are now bringing Great Falls back to life”, says Mike Vaughn, Chester County councilman for District 2....

GREAT FALLS, S.C. (CN2 NEWS) – The date is finally here, as part of an 80 million dollar project, a portion of the Great Falls Whitewater attraction by Duke Energy will open to the public this Saturday, March 18th.

This is project that’s been years in the making, is set to bring new life to the town according to town leaders.

“Duke Energy which brought Great Falls to life one hundred years ago, they are now bringing Great Falls back to life”, says Mike Vaughn, Chester County councilman for District 2.

For a town that has seen better times, new life is on the horizon.

“The whitewater will bring economic development, we really can’t even fathom the scale of it yet”, says Vaughn.

A portion of Duke Energy’s Great Falls Enhancement Project, is set to open to the public, giving white water enthusiasts a wild ride through class two and three rapids.

“Its right in the middle of Charlotte and Columbia so you’ve got a large audience to pull from, easy day trip”, says Tami Styer with Duke Energy.

In 2015 leaders with Duke Energy say it received a new license for the Catawba-Wateree Project which includes upgrades to the Great Falls Reservoir. Duke Energy has now put water back into two channels to not only provide recreational opportunities but to also improve aquatic habitat downstream for years to come.

“It will make this whole area a recreation destination. For all types of recreators. Not just whitewater paddling, but camping and hiking and flatwater paddling. Its more than just whitewater. At the end of the day, its just going to be a great destination for people to come and experience”, says Christy Churchill with Duke Energy.

Another important part of this project is safety.

Chester County Emergency Management says its crews have been training for this project. They are also teaming up with Lancaster first responders to keep everyone safe while on the water.

The Long Bypass Channel there at the Nitrolee Access Park will open this Saturday to the public.

The Short Bypass Channel is set to open at another date.

In addition to parking, restrooms and boat access, the site Nitrolee Access Park features an interpretive center about the history of the area.

There are a lot of projects in the works including a state park, and pedestrian bridge to Dearborn Island will be constructed.

To learn more about the project, visit: https://news.duke-energy.com/releases/public-access-to-duke-energys-great-falls-enhancement-project-set-to-open

After 117 years, Great Falls gets its water back. New whitewater rapids to boost SC town

South Carolina Sen. Mike Fanning rolled the legs of his suit pants above his knees and stepped barefoot into the cold Catawba River.Waving a handkerchief, he shouted to a dozen kayakers: “Ladi...

South Carolina Sen. Mike Fanning rolled the legs of his suit pants above his knees and stepped barefoot into the cold Catawba River.

Waving a handkerchief, he shouted to a dozen kayakers: “Ladies and gentlemen, the first launch in the history of the brand new whitewater here in Great Falls, S.C., make some noise!”

The kayakers and attendees at Wednesday’s ribbon cutting ceremony cheered. He counted down from five.

There were swoosh sounds as colorful kayaks launched in the dark waterway lined with trees. After a short paddle, the kayakers — barely visible from a bridge — moved into a vast lake.

In the distance, the rapids formed.

More than a hundred people gathered in this small Chester County, S.C., town to celebrate the opening of a new access area on the river for whitewater rafting, paddling and other recreation. The opening is just one part of a large-scale project that has a unique history.

The channel on the river had not seen water in 117 years. Dams were built to divert water to power multiple mills and the community.

Duke Energy will officially open one of two bypass channels on Saturday for public use. The bypass is designed for leisurely kayaking and canoeing and is appropriate for families and individuals.

A short bypass, which is described as challenging, will open in May. The short bypass is for professional kayakers and experienced enthusiasts.

The river access areas and bypass channels are part of the Great Falls-Dearborn project — a large-scale design that has many components, including hiking trails, a state park, an historic visitor’s center, a pedestrian bridge, canoe and kayak launch sites, parking and restrooms. This all spans across nearly three miles along the scenic river.

The state park will be on Dearborn Island.

Duke Energy finalized a lease with the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism in early February to help the state develop a park on the 600-acre island. There will be trails and a campground. Duke is providing $1.5 million for the park, which may take several years to build, said Christy Churchill, the project’s recreation planner.

But Wednesday’s focus was the water.

Kevin Colburn is national stewardship director for American Whitewater, a river conservation organization. He described the bypasses as “otherworldly.”

“It’s sort of prehistoric,” he said. “You see these reptiles, these giant birds, fish the size of your leg — it’s not normal. It’s a very cool, unique, beautiful place.”

Colburn said the river is going to “roar back to life.”

“I mean, it’s really hard to build good whitewater, like shockingly hard,” he said. “It’s a whole lot of science and a whole lot of art. And they nailed it.”

The long bypass is a 2.25 mile stretch for leisure kayaking and canoeing and has Class II and III rapids.

The short bypass will have faster water flowing over three-quarters of a mile that will have Class III and IV rapids. Duke Energy controls how much water it releases into the channels. The flows are 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Water enters the long bypass through two flows. The larger flow provides water for paddlers downstream and for aquatic habitat enhancement, according to Ben Williamson, a spokesperson for Duke Energy. Paddlers should enter the long bypass through the safe-boater bypass, he said.

Signs at the Nitrolee Access Area, where paddlers will enter the long bypass, show paddlers how to access the channel and gives details about appropriate watercraft and equipment, said Ellen Morton, Duke Energy spokesperson.

Churchill said opening the short bypass and trails has been delayed due to supply chain and construction hurdles.

“You can only get to the island to build those trails by barge,” she said. “And so sometimes, we’ve had days where we just couldn’t get there with all of our equipment.”

Tim Huffman, senior project manager for the project, said in 2014, his boss asked his opinion about the project.

“I told him that aside from the fact that the project was in two places, a crows flight, mile apart — one at the bottom of a river cliff, the other merely totally inaccessible, that there was no access to power, that the entire effort would be in the middle of a choke point in a river prone to flooding, and that we had zero idea of what we were actually supposed to do, that I saw no problems,” Huffman said jokingly.

Huffman described the short bypass as a “high tech piece,” and said they used marine fleet tugboats and a tower crane to “reach the unreachable.”

Huffman named nearly 85 people who worked on the project.

Fanning described the project as a “game changer.”

“We’re anticipating larger numbers of people coming down here regularly to get an experience that they can get nowhere else,” he said.

Great Falls Mayor Joshua Brantley said the access areas are going to bring opportunity to the town.

“There’s a ton on our plate, with what we’re going to have to do to try to manage and maintain the abundance of the tourists that will be here,” Brantley said.

Potential investors in the town have contacted him about bringing in jobs, retail, housing and mixed-use development, he said.

“It’s a matter of us really digging deep down into a master plan and really determining what is the best fit for Great Falls,” Brantley said.

Glinda Coleman, executive director of the Great Falls Home Town Association — a community and economic development non-profit— said developers have approached the town with ideas about using some of the abandoned mills, bringing in coffee shops, restaurants and places to stay.

Coleman did not elaborate on specific details, but said they are in negotiations.

The town association’s mission has been to bring nature-based tourism to the area, she said.

The association has plans for other trails, kayaking opportunities aside from whitewater, bird-watching, camping, cycling and plans for a “vibrant” Main Street in the “very near future.”

“Because of where Great Falls is, the river being here, it’s going to really be a great opportunity for growth in our area,” Coleman said. “And the whitewater is just the beginning.”

The access area and bypass channels don’t have have official names.

Duke Energy started construction on the project in 2020. As part of a new license for the Catawba-Wateree Project in 2015, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission requires Duke to provide recreation, enhancement to water quality and quantity, wildlife and land conservation along the river.

The main focus of this project is to bring water back to the two channels, which once made up the 50-foot Great Falls of the Catawba, the town’s namesake.

Great Falls is between Charlotte and Columbia, and both cities are connected by Interstate 77. Charlotte is roughly an hour north of Great Falls (about 55 miles from Uptown). Columbia is 45 minutes from Great Falls (46 miles away). The drive from Rock Hill, S.C. is about 35 minutes.

Traveling south from Charlotte, a driver would take Exit 55. Traveling north from Columbia, take Exit 48.

This story was originally published March 17, 2023, 11:02 AM.

Christ Church dominant in Upper State basketball championship, tops Great Falls by 28 points

Undefeated in its region, undefeated in its classification and only losing to one South Carolina school — Wilson boys basketball, a Class AAAA school — it's safe to say Christ Church's resume is one of the most impressive in the state.Now add to that an appearance in the Class A state championship game, after a 55-27 win Saturday over Great Falls (24-6) in the Upper State championship, the Cavaliers (20-3) can add the ultimate recoginition."It feels good to be here. We should have been in this po...

Undefeated in its region, undefeated in its classification and only losing to one South Carolina school — Wilson boys basketball, a Class AAAA school — it's safe to say Christ Church's resume is one of the most impressive in the state.

Now add to that an appearance in the Class A state championship game, after a 55-27 win Saturday over Great Falls (24-6) in the Upper State championship, the Cavaliers (20-3) can add the ultimate recoginition.

"It feels good to be here. We should have been in this position last year but things didn't work out as planned, but now we're even better and we're going harder than ever," said Christ Church center Jordan Butler, a Missouri signee.

WADE HAMPTON HOOPS:Wade Hampton's comeback falls short in loss to North Augusta in Upper State championship

DEATH BY A THOUSAND CUTS:Dorman basketball advances to Upper State championship game

WREN ADVANCES TO UPPER STATES:How Wren's late defensive adjustment clinched spot in boys AAA Upper State championship

Christ Church was dominant from the start, taking a 6-0 lead. According to coach John Butler, father of senior big man Jordan Butler, the Cavaliers' dominance started on the defensive end.

"We came into the game knowing that their No. 11 was a really good, solid player. So the emphasis was to make him make tough shots," John Butler said. "We knew he was going to make shots, but we're going to make it as tough as possible for him on the defensive end, and we did that by everyone working together, communicating and moving as a unit."

The Cavaliers did more than slow down top scorer Tydriez Coleman, they allowed 27 total points and only allowing eight points in the second half.

Christ Church senior Woods Windham led all scorers with 15 points, while guard D.J. Harvey added 11 points.

Now, with one game left to play, only Scott's Branch (20-3), after a 64-56 win over Estill (19-9), is left in the way of Christ Church's quest to bring home a state championship.

The two will face off on March 4 at the USC Aiken Convocation Center at 2 p.m.

Mom, son cling to logs through the night after tubes flip on Catawba River

GREAT FALLS, S.C. — One mother and her 17-year-old son are grateful and lucky to be alive after spending an entire night clinging for dear life in the Catawba River.It happened near the new whitewater attraction in Great Falls, South Carolina. Emergency workers told Channel 9′s Tina Terry that this could have easily been a recovery mission rather than a rescue.Crystal Richardson and her 17-year-old son Justin told Terry that they went to the new attraction Wednesday with a family friend, hoping to cool off.SE...

GREAT FALLS, S.C. — One mother and her 17-year-old son are grateful and lucky to be alive after spending an entire night clinging for dear life in the Catawba River.

It happened near the new whitewater attraction in Great Falls, South Carolina. Emergency workers told Channel 9′s Tina Terry that this could have easily been a recovery mission rather than a rescue.

Crystal Richardson and her 17-year-old son Justin told Terry that they went to the new attraction Wednesday with a family friend, hoping to cool off.

SEE MORE >> 9 Investigates: Safety concerns surrounding crowds, traffic at U.S. National Whitewater Center

“My son is on summer break, and we were trying to spend family time together because we work so much,” Richardson said.

They tied three tubes together and put them in the river, but the force of the water eventually pulled the tubes apart.

“As soon as I fell off the inner tube, I hit a rock. I couldn’t talk, I couldn’t see nothing, I didn’t know nothing,” Richardson said.

The three of them were forced in different directions. The force of the water was strong, and they ended up finding logs to hold onto.

They were stuck in the river all night long, hoping for a rescue.

Thursday morning, Justin decided to try and swim to the dam for help. A driver saw him and called 911.

“He was pretty much just standing there, and he was waving and hollering for help,” said Britt Blackmon, a training officer with Lancaster County Fire and Rescue. “They got on the scene, they got to the young man, he said he wasn’t alone.”

Blackmon says they used a drone to find Justin’s mom and their friend. Then they got in the water to rescue them.

After their harrowing night in the water, Richardson is full of gratitude.

“God forbid, I don’t know what would have happened if nobody would have come,” Richardson said. “God helped us.”

Crews said the family entered an area that is built for experienced kayakers, and not for tubing. Safety signs warn that people should enter the water at their own risk.

Officials are warning visitors to always wear appropriate life jackets before getting in the water.

(WATCH: Whitewater attraction in Chester County getting close to completion)

New water attraction in Chester County already making waves

CHESTER COUNTY, S.C. — There's a new way for people to enjoy the water and the weather in Chester County.The Great Falls Enhancement Project sits on the Catawba River and provides recreational activities at the Great Falls Reservoir.It's been a project almost two decades in the making. San...

CHESTER COUNTY, S.C. — There's a new way for people to enjoy the water and the weather in Chester County.

The Great Falls Enhancement Project sits on the Catawba River and provides recreational activities at the Great Falls Reservoir.

It's been a project almost two decades in the making. Sandy Skardon is one of the first people to experience the project.

“It was going good, some of the waves were in," Skardon said. Yeah, it was pretty awesome."

Tim Huffman is the project manager and said it took a lot of time and effort to figure out the design. The water in the area was held back by a dam for decades. The company worked to move water back into the original channels, creating over two miles of white water access.

“If you don’t paddle a lick, you can go out there, walk around, walk the trails, it’ll be well worth the time," Huffman said.

Huffman also said it'll become a tourist spot for the area. On Sunday, people already made their way out to the spot from all over the Carolinas. People told WCNC Charlotte they are excited about the new destination and can't wait to dive in once the temps heat up.

Others said the new spot could add congestion to the area. Martin Kennington lives in the area and can see how this area could get too busy.

“It concerns me with all the extra traffic that people will come down and take advantage of it," Kennington said.

But others think this will impact the area in a different way.

“It will be something good for Lancaster County because it’s not as big as Rock Hill and it’s in the middle of nowhere, traffic will be good for the area," Gregory Chisolm said.

Tenitia Brown is the owner of Red Rose Patrys in Lancaster County. She said she mainly caters to those in the area, but with the new attraction, she's excited to be in the impact zone.

“It means we are going to be okay as a small business, we get a chance to expand so any type of new traffic is going to be great," Brown said.

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