Santee Cooper Press

Crews monitor the AquaDam surrounding Grainger Ash Pond 2 as flood waters continue to rise as a result of Hurricane Florence . Monday, Sept. 24, 2018 in Conway.

Water samples are taken in Grainger Ash Pond 1 as river water levels top the dike of the pond. Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018 in Conway.

Crews deploy floating boom on Grainger Ash Pond 1 as river levels rise as a result of flooding caused by Hurricane Florence. Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018 in Conway.

Crews deploy floating boom on Grainger Ash Pond 1 as river levels rise as a result of flooding caused by Hurricane Florence. Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018 in Conway.

Crews work to shore up the banks of the Grainger ash ponds as river levels rise as a result of flooding caused by Hurricane Florence. Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018 in Conway.

Crews monitor the banks of the Grainger Ash Pond 1 as the river levels overtop the dike of the pond. Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018 in Conway.

Crews with Biological Services check the water quality of the Waccamaw River for any signs of ash contamination Friday, Sept. 21, 2018 in Conway.

A heavy lift helicopter carries sandbags to ash pond 2 in an effort to shore up the banks of the Grainger ash ponds before river levels rise as a result of flooding caused by Hurricane Florence Friday, Sept. 21, 2018 in Conway.

Crews finish work on an Aqua Dam surrounding ash pond 2 before river levels rise as a result of flooding caused by Hurricane Florence Friday, Sept. 21, 2018 in Conway.

Water flows over the road at the Conway Marina as river levels rise as a result of flooding caused by Hurricane Florence Friday, Sept. 21, 2018 in Conway.

Crews work to shore up the banks of the Grainger ash ponds before river levels rise as a result of flooding caused by Hurricane Florence Friday, Sept. 21, 2018 in Conway.

Water flows over the road at the Conway Marina as river levels rise as a result of flooding caused by Hurricane Florence Friday, Sept. 21, 2018 in Conway.

Crews with Biological Services inspect the damage already done as the Waccamaw River over flows its banks Friday, Sept. 21, 2018 in Conway.

A heavy lift helicopter carries sandbags to ash pond 2 in an effort to shore up the banks of the Grainger ash ponds before river levels rise as a result of flooding caused by Hurricane Florence Friday, Sept. 21, 2018 in Conway.

A heavy lift helicopter carries sandbags to ash pond 2 in an effort to shore up the banks of the Grainger ash ponds before river levels rise as a result of flooding caused by Hurricane Florence Friday, Sept. 21, 2018 in Conway.

Water flows over the road at the Conway Marina as river levels rise as a result of flooding caused by Hurricane Florence Friday, Sept. 21, 2018 in Conway.

The AquaDam is filled with water by contract crews. The 6,000 feet of AquaDam surrounds Pond 2, adding 30 inches to the top of the dike. Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018 in Conway.

Supplies are shipped in via barges as many areas around the Grainger ash ponds are covered in water from rising river levels. Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018 in Conway.

6,000 feet of AquaDam has been deployed and sits on the dike of Ash Pond 2, adding 30 inches of height to the dike. Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018 in Conway.

Pumps fill the Grainger ash ponds to equalize the pressure of river levels rising as a result of flooding caused by Hurricane Florence. Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018 in Conway.

Crews check elevations as they shore up the banks of the Grainger ash ponds before the Waccamaw River reaches projected record heights. Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018 in Conway.

Bags containing 1.5 tons of rock sit ready to deploy by helicopter in the event of a river breach of the dikes surrounding the Grainger ash ponds. Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018 in Conway.

Aerial view of Grainger’s Ash Ponds 1 and 2. The Waccamaw River, in the upper left portion of the image, is forecast to reach record heights. Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018 in Conway.

Aerial view of Grainger’s Ash Pond 1, which has been filled with water to equalize pressure on the dike from the rising waters of the Waccamaw River. In the foreground, mounds of stone and bags filled with stone are assembled. Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018 in Conway.

Aerial view of Grainger’s Ash Pond 2, which being pumped with water to equalize pressure on the dikes from the rising waters of the Waccamaw River. Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018 in Conway.

Santee Cooper deploys an AquaDam around Grainger’s Ash Pond 2, which will add 30 inches to the height of the dike and help protect the pond from flood waters. Sept. 19, 2018 (photo provided)

Santee Cooper Interim President and CEO Jim Brogdon discusses ash pond mitigation efforts with Army National Guard Major General Robert E. Livingston Jr. and S.C. Secretary of Transportation Christy Hall. Sept. 19, 2018

Sand bags sit ready to deploy in the event of a river breach of the dikes surrounding the Grainger ash ponds before river levels rise as a result of flooding caused by Hurricane Florence Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018 in Conway.

Crews with Palmetto Corp. work to shore up the banks of the Grainger Ash Pond 2 with silt fencing before river levels rise as a result of flooding caused by Hurricane Florence. Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018 in Conway.

Coal ash in Pond 2 is piled to minimize any leakage as crews work to fortify the banks of the Grainger ash ponds before river levels rise as a result of flooding caused by Hurricane Florence. Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018 in Conway.

Members of the Army Corps of Engineers arrive to assist crews working to shore up the banks of the Grainger ash ponds before river levels rise as a result of flooding caused by Hurricane Florence. Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018 in Conway.

Santee Cooper crews work with the Army Corps of Engineers on the Grainger ash ponds before river levels rise as a result of flooding caused by Hurricane Florence. Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018 in Conway.

Santee Cooper crews deploy floating booms around the banks of the Grainger ash ponds. Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018 in Conway.

Water is pumped into Ash Pond 2 to equalize pressure on the dikes due to river levels rising as a result of flooding caused by Hurricane Florence. Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018 in Conway.

Trucks navigate the waters flooding the roads between Pond 1 and Pond 2. Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018 in Conway.

Santee Cooper crews deploy floating booms around the banks of the Grainger ash ponds. Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018 in Conway.

A series of dikes are put into place and water is pumped into the ash ponds to protect them from rising river levels as a result of flooding caused by Hurricane Florence. Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018 in Conway.

A series of dikes are put into place and water is pumped into the ash ponds to protect them from rising river levels as a result of flooding caused by Hurricane Florence. Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018 in Conway.

Crews with Palmetto Corp. work to protect the banks of the Grainger Ash Pond 2 with silt fencing before river levels rise as a result of flooding caused by Hurricane Florence. Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018 in Conway.