About
Pee Dee River, North Carolina South Carolina — 1521 Quejo, 1840s-1880s Logging, 1999 Pee Dee Survey 232-mi Cheraw. From the Piedmont transition at Cheraw down to tidal blackwater entering Winyah Bay, the Great Pee Dee covers 232 miles through Marlboro and Florence counties at an average 5,400 CFS. The Great Pee Dee Paddle Trail, developed in 2006, divides the river into three distinct characters: the upper section from Cheraw to Society Hill runs Class I through the last Piedmont foothills, the middle stretch from Society Hill to Galivants Ferry broadens into typical lowcountry flow, and the lower river from Galivants Ferry to the bay turns tidal and dark. Optimal flows range from 1,500 to 6,000 CFS, though this big-water river rarely drops below 3,000 except in severe drought. The Pee Dee Land Trust coordinates outfitter services along the paddle trail. USGS gauge 02131000 tracks the main stem, though paddlers should expect long days between access points and plan accordingly for a river this size.
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and access points may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level.