TOTAL RIVER DISCHARGE
Total streamflow across the
Santee River
was last observed at
6,018
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
11,937
acre-ft of water today; about 56%
of normal.
River levels are low and may signify a drought.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
10,694 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 5,130 cfs.
This is also the highest stage along the Santee River, with a gauge stage of
4.37 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.
The Santee River is a 143-mile-long blackwater river in South Carolina. The river has a rich history, having played a role in the American Revolution and the Civil War. It is the second-longest river in the state and flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The hydrology of the river is unique, as it is a blackwater river due to high levels of tannic acid in the water. The river is also known for its diverse fish population. Specific reservoirs and dams along the river include the Lake Marion Dam and Lake Moultrie Dam. These reservoirs are used for hydroelectric power generation and flood control. The river also has recreational uses, including fishing and boating, and is an important source of irrigation for agriculture in the surrounding areas.
| Last Updated | 2024-12-21 |
| Discharge Volume | 11,937 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
6,018.0 cfs
-2033.0 cfs (-25.25%) |
| Percent of Normal | 56.28% |
| Maximum |
166,900.0 cfs
2016-01-05 |
| Seasonal Avg | 10,694 cfs |
YEAR OVER YEAR DISCHARGE (CFS)
Streamflow Conditions
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Santee River Near Pineville
USGS 02171500 |
888 cfs | 3.2 ft | 5.59 | |||||
|
Santee River Nr Jamestown
USGS 02171700 |
5130 cfs | 4.37 ft | -28.85 |
History of the River
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.