Black River
Wild & Scenic
Williamsburg Co. · 150 mi · Class Riffles
146CFS/ 3.50 ft
Flood
Stable
Optimal: 200–1000 CFS · USGS #02136000
Flow data is live from USGS·Rapid classifications and CFS ranges need community verification·Know this river?
150 mi
Length
Class Riffles
Difficulty
200–1000 cfs
Optimal
480 cfs
Avg Flow
435 cfs
Hist. Median
#02136000
USGS Gauge
National Wild & Scenic River (2023) · SC Scenic River · Black River Water Trail

The Black River of South Carolina is one of the finest blackwater rivers in the Southeast — 150 miles of tannin-stained water flowing through ancient bald cypress swamps, bottomland hardwoods, and remote Lowcountry wilderness. In 2023 Congress designated 70 miles as a National Wild & Scenic River, protecting one of the most ecologically significant blackwater systems in North America.

Trip sections
Upper Black River — Kingstree area, Class I, blackwater cypress reach
Middle Black River — Andrews to Rhems, Class I, Wild & Scenic corridor
Lower Black River — Rhems to Winyah Bay, tidal blackwater
Outfitters
Black River Outdoors Center
Black River blackwater paddle trips from Georgetown
72-Hour Flow Forecast
NOAA NWPS
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10-Year Flow Patterns
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Data Quality

River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.