Lynches River
🏔 Scenic River
Lee / Florence Co. · 175 mi · Class Riffles
292CFS/ 2.95 ft
Optimal→Stable
Optimal: 200–1000 CFS · USGS #02132000
Length
Difficulty
Optimal
Avg Flow
Hist. Median
USGS Gauge
SC State Scenic River · Lynches River State Park
The Lynches River is one of South Carolina's premier blackwater paddling rivers, flowing 175 miles through cypress swamps and bottomland hardwood forest from the sandhills to the Pee Dee. Tannin-stained black water, Spanish moss, and an abundance of wildlife — including alligators in the lower river — make the Lynches a quintessential lowcountry paddling experience.
Trip sections
Upper Lynches — Bishopville to Bethune, Class I, sandhills reach
Middle Lynches — Bethune to Effingham, Class I, blackwater swamp
Lower Lynches — Effingham to Pee Dee confluence, Class I, cypress bottomland
Outfitters
Lynches River State Park
Kayak rentals and river access for blackwater trips
72-Hour Flow Forecast
NOAA NWPSLoading forecast...
10-Year Flow Patterns
See 10 years of flow patterns for this river — historical analysis is a Pro feature.Upgrade to Pro →
Your Optimal Range
Set your personal optimal CFS window per river — custom ranges are a Pro feature.Upgrade to Pro →
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.