Portions of Columbia’s Riverfront Park reopen after floods

Portions of the popular walking trails at Riverfront Park opened for public use Tuesday after the adjacent Columbia Canal was brutalized by October’s historic rains.

The canal, the source of drinking water for downtown residents, was breached by the Congaree River and has not yet been completely repaired.

Visitors have access to 2.5 miles of the walking trail between the Broad River and Columbia Canal to the Diversion Dam. The parking lot at 312 Laurel St. is open. The parking lot at the north end of the park, near River Drive, remains closed to the public.

This story was originally published March 15, 2016 at 7:58 PM.