Wateree River
Kershaw / Sumter Co. · 75 mi · Class Riffles
3,070CFS/ 6.74 ft
Optimal
→Stable
Water temp: 63°F
Optimal: 1000–4000 CFS · USGS #02148000
⚡Flow data is live from USGS·Rapid classifications and CFS ranges need community verification·Know this river?
75 mi
Length
Class Riffles
Difficulty
1000–4000 cfs
Optimal
3,200 cfs
Avg Flow
2,900 cfs
Hist. Median
#02148000
USGS Gauge
SC Paddle Trail · Wateree River Blue Trail

The Wateree River is South Carolina's most productive big-water fishery — 75 miles of wide, slow-moving water below Lake Wateree Dam supporting trophy striped bass, blue catfish, crappie, and largemouth bass. The river is an important kayak fishing destination and offers unique paddling past Revolutionary War-era historic sites and bottomland hardwood forests.

Trip sections
Upper Wateree — Lake Wateree Dam tailrace, Class I, striped bass fishery
Middle Wateree — Camden to Manchester, Class I, bass and catfish
Lower Wateree — Manchester to Santee River confluence, Class I, broad lowcountry
Outfitters
Palmetto Outdoor Center
Wateree River kayak fishing and paddle trip logistics
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.