CONGAREE RIVER
March 11, 2025
TOTAL RIVER DISCHARGE
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the reporting a streamflow rate of cfs. This is also the highest stage along the Congaree River, with a gauge stage of ft at this location. This river is monitored from 1 different streamgauging stations along the Congaree River, the highest being situated at an altitude of ft, the .
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.
YEAR OVER YEAR DISCHARGE (CFS)
Streamflow Conditions
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Congaree River At Columbia
USGS 02169500 |
11800 cfs | 5.87 ft | 122.64 |
History of the River
The Congaree River is a short but wide river in South Carolina in the United States; It flows for approximately 53 miles (85 km). The river serves an important role as the final outlet channel for the entire Lower Saluda and Lower Broad watersheds, before merging with the Wateree River just north of Lake Marion to form the Santee River.
It is formed in Columbia by the confluence of the Saluda and Broad rivers near the Piedmont Fall Line. It serves as part of the boundary between Richland, Calhoun, and Lexington counties. The only cities near the river are Columbia on the east, and Cayce and West Columbia on the west.
Despite the vast bottomland swamp below Columbia, the Congaree is navigable along much of its length at high water by barge traffic. This travels upriver from the Port of Charleston (approximately 100 miles (167 km) away through the Santee-Cooper Lakes to within 5 miles (8 km) of the fall line.
The Congaree National Park, one of the main recreational attractions of the river, is located about halfway down the river's course. The 22,200-acre (90 km²) park contains some of the last remaining old growth bottomland hardwood forest in North America. Recreational opportunities include hiking, biking, bird watching, botanical interests, and canoeing.
The river was named for the Congaree Indians who used to live along it.