Waccamaw River River Levels

Last Updated: January 23, 2026

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 Weather Outlook


Summary

Total streamflow across the Waccamaw River was last observed at 272 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 540 acre-ft of water today; about 14% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 1,966 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 6.72 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.

River Details

Last Updated 2026-01-23
Discharge Volume 540 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 272.0 cfs
+10.0 cfs (+3.82%)
Percent of Normal 13.83%
Maximum 126,300.0 cfs
2018-09-22
Seasonal Avg 1,966 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 6.72 ft -1.74
Waccamaw River Near Longs
USGS 02110500
272 cfs 3.69 ft 3.82
Waccamaw River At Freeland
USGS 02109500
150 cfs 4.64 ft -0.66
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.