2025-12-20T00:00:00-07:00
...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS THURSDAY AND FRIDAY... Strong northwest winds will spread across the northeast plains after sunrise today, with gusts 45 to 65 mph creating critical fire weather conditions despite somewhat marginal humidity values near 20%. Early Friday, westerly downslope winds will bring strong gusts to the Front Range mountains and foothills, with potential for these to spread into wind-favored portions of the adjacent lower elevations. Peak gusts of 70-90 mph are increasing in likelihood for the windiest locations (considerably lower for areas along and east of I-25). With a warmer and drier air mass in place, humidity values in the teens look to extend into much of the foothills, and certainly across the lower elevations. Such conditions may be a longer duration than usual, with potential for low humidity to extend into the evening hours prior to the arrival of a front. The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Fire Weather Watch for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from Friday morning through Friday evening. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 215, 216, 241, 243, 245, 246 and 247. * TIMING...From Friday morning through late Friday evening. * WINDS...West 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 80 mph in and near the foothills. West 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph for areas roughly along and east of I-25. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 10 to 15%. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a spark and start a wildfire.
Summary
Total streamflow across the
Lynches River
was last observed at
702
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
1,392
acre-ft of water today; about 33%
of normal.
River levels are low and may signify a drought.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
2,112 cfs,
with recent peaks last observed
on
2015-10-06 when daily discharge volume was observed at
20,820 cfs.
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the
Lynches River At Effingham
reporting a streamflow rate of 429 cfs.
However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the
Lynches River Near Bishopville
with a gauge stage of 5.85 ft.
This river is monitored from 2 different streamgauging stations along the Lynches River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 162 ft, the
Lynches River Near Bishopville.
River Details
| Last Updated | 2025-12-18 |
| Discharge Volume | 1,392 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
702.0 cfs
-18.0 cfs (-2.5%) |
| Percent of Normal | 33.23% |
| Maximum |
20,820.0 cfs
2015-10-06 |
| Seasonal Avg | 2,112 cfs |
River Streamflow Levels
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Lynches River Near Bishopville
USGS 02131500 |
273 cfs | 5.85 ft | -2.85 | |||||
|
Lynches River At Effingham
USGS 02132000 |
429 cfs | 4.08 ft | -2.28 |
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile
Lynches River, named for Thomas Lynch, Jr., signer of the Declaration of Independence, rises in North Carolina near Waxhaw, North Carolina, at about 700 feet (210 m) elevation, flowing only a short distance to the South Carolina border, and thence to join the Great Pee Dee River near
Johnsonville. It is about 140 mi (225 km) long and the drainage area is 1030 square miles (2670 km²).
Several sections of the river have been designated by the state of South Carolina as a wild and scenic river, with the upper portions from Bishopville to the eastern boundary of Lynches River County Park receiving designation in 1994, and the lower 57 mile section designated in 2008. The river is a favorite for canoeing, but Hurricane Hugo in 1989 felled many trees, blocking the flow at places, making navigation difficult at low water and dangerous at high water. River enthusiasts have been gradually cleaning up the storm debris. The river is also a popular fishing spot, with sunfish, redbreast, catfish and bass.