Waccamaw River

Last Updated: May 7, 2026

Total streamflow across the Waccamaw River was last observed at 37 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 74 acre-ft of water today; about 4% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 1,031 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2018-09-22 when daily discharge volume was observed at 126,300 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Waccamaw River At Conway Marina At Conway reporting a streamflow rate of 2,260 cfs. This is also the highest stage along the Waccamaw River, with a gauge stage of 6.93 ft at this location. This river is monitored from 3 different streamgauging stations along the Waccamaw River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 42 ft, the Waccamaw River At Conway Marina At Conway.

The Waccamaw River is a blackwater river that runs for 140 miles from North Carolina to South Carolina, eventually empties into the Atlantic Ocean.


15-Day Long Term Forecast


River Details

Last Updated 2026-05-07
Discharge Volume 74 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 37.1 cfs
Past 24 Hours: +1.1 cfs (+3.06%)
Percent of Normal 3.6%
Maximum 126,300.0 cfs
2018-09-22
Seasonal Avg 1,031 cfs
       
River Streamflow Levels
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Waccamaw River At Conway Marina At Conway
USGS 02110704
2260 cfs 6.93 ft -1.74
Waccamaw River Near Longs
USGS 02110500
37 cfs 0.97 ft -2.96
Waccamaw River At Freeland
USGS 02109500
16 cfs 1.58 ft -17.78
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile

The Waccamaw River is a river, approximately 140 miles (225 km) long, in southeastern North Carolina and eastern South Carolina in the United States. It drains an area of approximately 1110 square miles (2886 km²) in the coastal plain along the eastern border between the two states into the Atlantic Ocean. Along its upper course, it is a slow-moving, blackwater river surrounded by vast wetlands, passable only by shallow-draft watercraft such as canoe. Along its lower course, it is lined by sandy banks and old plantation houses, providing an important navigation channel with a unique geography, flowing roughly parallel to the coast.