Pacolet River River Levels

Last Updated: December 26, 2025

The Pacolet River is a 70-mile-long river that runs through the upstate of South Carolina and western North Carolina.


Summary

Total streamflow across the Pacolet River was last observed at 403 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 799 acre-ft of water today; about 28% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 1,447 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2024-01-10 when daily discharge volume was observed at 19,190 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Pacolet River Below Lake Blalock Near Cowpens reporting a streamflow rate of 302 cfs. However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the Pacolet River Near Fingerville with a gauge stage of 4.58 ft. This river is monitored from 2 different streamgauging stations along the Pacolet River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 747 ft, the Pacolet River Near Fingerville.

River Details

Last Updated 2025-12-25
Discharge Volume 799 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 403.0 cfs
-3.0 cfs (-0.74%)
Percent of Normal 27.84%
Maximum 19,190.0 cfs
2024-01-10
Seasonal Avg 1,447 cfs
       
River Streamflow Levels
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Pacolet River Near Fingerville
USGS 02155500
86 cfs 4.58 ft -2.88
Pacolet River Below Lake Blalock Near Cowpens
USGS 021556525
302 cfs 2.48 ft 0
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile

The Pacolet River is a tributary of the Broad River, about 50 miles (80 km) long, in northwestern South Carolina in the United States. One of its principal headwaters tributaries also drains a small portion of western North Carolina. Via the Broad and Congaree Rivers, it is part of the watershed of the Santee River, which flows to the Atlantic Ocean. The stream's name has also been spelled historically as "Pacolate River".
There is a Pacolet River in Polk County in Florida.