Waccamaw River River Levels

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

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


Summary

Total streamflow across the Waccamaw River was last observed at 350 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 694 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 1,263 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 7.9 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 2025-12-05
Discharge Volume 694 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 350.0 cfs
+185.0 cfs (+112.12%)
Percent of Normal 27.72%
Maximum 126,300.0 cfs
2018-09-22
Seasonal Avg 1,263 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 7.9 ft -1.74
Waccamaw River Near Longs
USGS 02110500
174 cfs 2.84 ft 5.45
Waccamaw River At Freeland
USGS 02109500
176 cfs 4.88 ft 11.39
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.