Congaree River Flow Today
As of October 12, 2026 at 3:00 AM, the Congaree River is flowing at 23,800 cfs at Columbia, SC — 694% of normal for the date and up 900% in 24 hours. ❤ Favorite
Congaree River map
See the Congaree River on a live map
Every gauge, dam and paddle run on the river, one tap each:
- Gauges now — which reaches are high or low
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Congaree River conditions today
Where the river is running versus normal, what’s rising or dropping, and what it means for a trip — built from the live USGS readings below.
At Columbia, the Congaree River is running 23,800 cfs — 694% of normal, up 900% since yesterday. Along the river, 1 of 1 reporting gauges are above normal (the typical gauge is at 694% of normal).
In the last 24 hours the river is rising at Columbia (+900%).
How the Congaree River compares to normal
Every reporting gauge from the top of the river to the bottom: bar length is today’s flow, colour is percent of normal for the date.
Flow along the river, upstream to downstream
- Columbia149 ft 23,800 cfs694%
Bar length uses a square-root scale so small headwater flows stay visible next to big downstream ones. Colour: <50% 50–90 90–110 110–150 150%+ of normal.
Where every gauge sits
One dot per Congaree River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (694%).
Congaree River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | To flood stage | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Congaree River At Columbia SC
Oct 12, 3:00 AM · USGS 02169500 |
23,800 cfs | 694% | +900% | 9.54 ft | 9.5 ft below | 149 ft |
USGS provisional data. Readings are in each gauge’s local time; gauges silent for more than 3 days are marked “Last reported”. Tap any gauge for its hydrograph, forecast and history.
Dams & reservoirs on the Congaree River
Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.
Congaree River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river (this total last updated earlier; the live gauge readings above are current).
Congaree River
The Congaree River is a 50-mile-long river in South Carolina that flows through Columbia and empties into Lake Marion. The river has a rich history, having been used for transportation by Native American tribes and later by European settlers for trade. It is also known for its role in the Civil War, as Union troops used the river to transport supplies. The Congaree River is fed by several tributaries, including the Broad and Saluda Rivers. The Saluda River is dammed to create Lake Murray, a popular recreational spot for boating and fishing. The Columbia Canal, which was built in the 1800s, also uses water from the Congaree River to power hydroelectric generators. Today, the river is used for recreational activities such as kayaking and fishing, as well as for agricultural irrigation.
About the Congaree River
How is the Congaree River flowing right now?
As of October 12, 2026, the Congaree River is flowing at 23,800 cfs at Columbia, SC, about 694% of normal for the date. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Congaree River running high or low?
The typical gauge on the Congaree River is at 694% of normal for the date. Above 100% means higher than the historical average for this calendar day; below 100% means lower. The profile above shows which reaches are high or low.
What is flood stage on the Congaree River?
The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Columbia (19.0 ft). The table shows how far each gauge is below its flood stage right now.
Where does the data come from?
Discharge and gage height are from the USGS National Water Information System; flood stages from the National Weather Service. The history chart sums every monitored gauge on the river.
Can I get alerts for a gauge?
Yes — open any gauge from the table, favorite it in the Snoflo app and set a flow threshold.