In August 1938, nearly 12,000 majority-white New Deal laborers employed by the federal government began clearing land, relocating communities, and erecting a forty-two-mile system of dams and dikes under the direction of the South Carolina Public Service Authority.
![The author's vantage point on a small wooden boat which they rowed through the privately-maintained swamps of Cypress Gardens. The water is dark, nearly black, and is speckled with patches of green algae and plants. Cypress trees lie ahead, thinned out from past timbering. Though the path is a little unclear, there is only one direction visitors are allowed to follow.](https://i0.wp.com/envhistnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Schermafbeelding-2023-03-03-165017.jpg?fit=608%2C811&ssl=1)