Santee River River Levels

Last Updated: December 4, 2025

The Santee River is a 143-mile-long blackwater river in South Carolina.


Summary

Total streamflow across the Santee River was last observed at 5,224 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 10,362 acre-ft of water today; about 54% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 9,757 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2016-01-05 when daily discharge volume was observed at 166,900 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Santee River Nr Jamestown reporting a streamflow rate of 1,910 cfs. This is also the highest stage along the Santee River, with a gauge stage of 2.86 ft at this location. This river is monitored from 2 different streamgauging stations along the Santee River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 25 ft, the Santee River Near Pineville.

River Details

Last Updated 2025-12-03
Discharge Volume 10,362 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 5,224.0 cfs
+3125.0 cfs (+148.88%)
Percent of Normal 53.54%
Maximum 166,900.0 cfs
2016-01-05
Seasonal Avg 9,757 cfs
       
River Streamflow Levels
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Santee River Near Pineville
USGS 02171500
704 cfs 2.11 ft 6.83
Santee River Nr Jamestown
USGS 02171700
1910 cfs 2.86 ft -57.74
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile

The Santee River is a river in South Carolina in the United States, and is 143 miles (230 km) long. The Santee and its tributaries provide the principal drainage for the coastal areas of southeastern South Carolina and navigation for the central coastal plain of South Carolina, emptying into the Atlantic Ocean approximately 440 miles (708 km) from its farthest headwater on the Catawba River in North Carolina. The Santee River is the second largest river on the eastern coast of the United States, second only to the Susquehanna River in drainage area and flow. Much of the upper river is impounded by the expansive, horn-shaped Lake Marion reservoir, formed by the 8-mile (13 km)-long Santee Dam. The dam was built during the Great Depression of the 1930s as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project to provide a major source of hydroelectric power for the state of South Carolina.