Congaree River
The Congaree Riverkeeper's geographical scope includes the entire Congaree River, from its formation just above the Gervais Street Bridge in Columbia to its confluence with the Wateree River.
Geographical Area
The Broad River and the Saluda River merge to form the Congaree River, which then flows southeast for fifty miles before merging with the Wateree River. The Congaree River serves as the boundary between portions of Lexington County, Calhoun County and Richland County. Its watershed encompasses 689 square miles in Richland, Lexington and Calhoun Counties.
Tributaries of the Congaree River include Rocky Branch, Congaree Creek, Gills Creek, Tom’s Branch, Mill Creek, Cedar Creek, Sandy Run Creek, Big Beaver Creek, Butler’s Gut, Bates Mill Creek, and Buckhead Creek. Major transportation routes within the Basin include I-26, U.S. Highway 601, S.C. Highway 378, S.C. Highway 21, and I-77.
Land Use
Generally, land cover in the watershed is primarily forested land (54.2%), followed by forested wetland (21.8%), agricultural land (11.9%), urban land (7.4%), water (2.3% ), barren land (2.0%), and non-forested wetland (0.4%). On the Richland County side of the Congaree River, 95% of existing land use is rural in nature with the remainder being suburban.
The Congaree River watershed is contained within Richland County’s Southeast Planning Area. Population within this planning area is projected to increase by 30.9% by the year 2035; however, land use is expected to remain rural. In Lexington County, the area around Silver Lake is expected to undergo substantial residential and industrial development. The area south of the City of Cayce, along I-26 and U.S. 321, is expected to experience heavy growth. The area along U.S. 176 and U.S. 21 should experience moderate industrial growth.
In the Congaree River watershed, the only known inland Carolina Bay in South Carolina is located near the intersection of Air Base Road and Lower Richland Boulevard in Richland County. Carolina Bays are small wetland depressions which are symmetrically oval in shape, with the long axis of the oval always oriented northwest to southeast. This Carolina Bay is approximately 100 acres in size.
Livestock Operations
There are nine poultry farms, one dairy farm and one swine farm located within the Congaree watershed.
Water and Sewer Service
Drinking water is supplied primarily through private wells. Municipal water supply is provided by the City of Columbia, the Town of Eastover, and the City of Cayce. On the Richland County side of the Congaree River, sewer service is provided by Richland County, East Richland Public Service District, and City of Columbia (Figure 6).
The City of Columbia operates a wastewater treatment plant on the Congaree River, with a permitted capacity of 60 mgd. East Richland Public Service District operates a wastewater treatment plant on Gills Creek, a tributary of the Congaree, with a permitted capacity of 13 mgd. In Lexington County, the City of Cayce operates a wastewater treatment plant on the Congaree River, with a permitted capacity of 25 mgd.
Parks, Protected Areas and Recreational Access
Congaree National Park
Located 20 miles downstream of Columbia, Congaree National Park protects the largest contiguous area of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the United States. This unique and increasingly rare forest ecosystem depends on the health of the Congaree River for providing periodic seasonal flooding. It was designated South Carolina’s first national park in 2003. Originally founded as Congaree Swamp National Monument in 1976, the park is home to more than 15,000 acres of wilderness and covers more than 26,000 acres. A network of 20 miles of hiking trails exists within the park. Guided walks and canoe trips are offered free of charge.
Congaree River Blue Trail
The Congaree River Blue Trail is the first water trail designated a National Recreation Trail in South Carolina by the Department of Interior. It is a 50-mile recreational paddling trail on the Congaree River, extending from the City of Columbia to the Congaree National Park. More information can be found on the American Rivers website. The Blue Trail guide is available here.
Cayce/West Columbia Riverwalk
The Cayce Riverwalk Park provides approximately 2.5 miles of walkway along the west bank of the Congaree River. The longest stretch of boardwalk on the Midlands three rivers, the Cayce Riverwalk features wildlife habitats and historical reference points. At the end of the boardwalk, visitors will find themselves at the historic Government Locks. From this vantage point visitors can see the old movable dam that runs from the locks to the Richland County side of the river. From the locks, the pathway travels on to connect to the Riverland Park subdivision.
Running nearly two miles from Knox Abbott Drive to Moffatt Street, the West Columbia Riverwalk features outstanding fishing spots, and scenic views of the islands of the Congaree River and the Columbia skyline. A focus of the Riverwalk is an amphitheater near the Gervais Street Bridge.
Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve
Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve comprises 460 acres and is co-managed by the S.C. Chapter of The Nature Conservancy and the S.C. Department of Natural Resources. Located in Lexington County, South Carolina, the preserve harbors the largest sandstone outcrops in the state, the only waterfall in the coastal plain, a swamp tupelo-evergreen shrub bog and a longleaf pine ecosystem. It is located in a valley at the headwaters of Hunt Branch which feeds into Second Creek and then the Congaree River.
Congaree Bluffs Heritage Preserve
The Congaree Bluffs Heritage Preserve is located in Calhoun County and comprises 201 acres containing steep, undisturbed bluffs bordering the Congaree River. The preserve harbors significant stands of American beech, oak-hickory and bottomland hardwood forest. No comparable public sites exist in the coastal plain of South Carolina. It is managed by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources and its hiking trails and observation platforms are open to the public during daylight hours.
Congaree Creek Heritage Preserve
The Congaree Creek Heritage Preserve is comprised of 627 acres, owned and managed by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources that borders the Congaree River and the City of Cayce. It is a significant archeological site containing evidence that people have lived in and around the area for nearly 12,000 years. The Preserve is open to the public during daylight hours. A 2.5 mile hiking trail loops around the preserve.
Public Boat Landings
The West Columbia Landing is located on the west side of the Congaree River at the Gervais Street Bridge. The Jordan (Rosewood) Landing is located roughly 0.5 miles below the Government Locks. The Newman (Cayce) Landing is located slightly more than one mile below Rosewood Landing.
Wildlife
Birds
A variety of migrants can be seen and heard from Congaree Bluffs Heritage Preserve. The following list focuses on the variety of fall migrant (excluding warblers) and resident species, when most birding observations at Congaree Bluffs Heritage Preserve have taken place: Wild Turkey, Anhinga, Mississippi Kite, Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Eastern Screech-Owl, Great Horned Owl, Eastern Whip-poor-will, Chimney Swift, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Red-headed Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Fish Crow, Northern-Roughed Winged Swallow, Eastern Bluebird, Veery, Gray-cheeked Thrush, Swainson’s Thrush, Hermit Thrush, Wood Thrush, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Hooded Warbler, Summer Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Blue Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, American Goldfinch.
The following list of birds identified within Congaree National Park focuses on bottomland hardwood forest year-round residents, summer and winter visitors, with a handful of migrants included: Wood Duck, Wild Turkey, Mississippi Kite, Red-shouldered Hawk, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Barred Owl, Chimney Swift, Red-headed Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Acadian Flycatcher, White-eyed Vireo, Blue-headed Vireo, White-breasted Nuthatch, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, Veery, Gray-cheeked Thrush, Swainson’s Thrush, Hermit Thrush, Wood Thrush, Northern Parula, Orange-crowned Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Pine Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart, Prothonotary Warbler, Swainson’s Warbler, Ovenbird, Kentucky Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Summer Tanager, Scarlet Tanager, Fox Sparrow, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Rusty Blackbird.
Congaree Creek Heritage Preserve has many of the same species found in Congaree National Park, though most birding takes place in the winter. Year-round residents and winter visitors are featured here, with only a handful of summer residents: Wood Duck, Red-shouldered Hawk, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Red-headed Woodpecker, Acadian Flycatcher, Blue-headed Vireo, Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, Hermit Thrush, Wood Thrush, Orange-crowned Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart, Prothonotary Warbler, Swainson’s Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, Summer Tanager, Fox Sparrow, Rusty Blackbird.
Along Old State Road, Beckham Swamp Road, White House Road and Longwood Road, roadside birding can be quite good. Some bottomland specialists can be found in wetlands, sloughs and oxbow lakes, though the emphasis here is on winter field birds. At times, these bottomlands will flood, attracting shorebirds, gulls, and waterfowl. Sightings in this area include: Wood Duck, Green Heron, Mississippi Kite, Northern Harrier, American Kestrel, Merlin, Sandhill Crane, Greater Yellowlegs, Wilson’s Snipe, Bonaparte’s Gull, Forster’s Tern, Eurasian Collared Dove, Red-headed Woodpecker, Loggerhead Shrike, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Barn Swallow, Eastern Bluebird, American Pipit, Palm Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Swainson’s Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Vesper Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Indigo Bunting, Painted Bunting, Dickcissel, Bobolink, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Meadowlark, Rusty Blackbird, Orchard Oriole.
Fish
In 1954, an inventory of fish in the Congaree River Basin by the Biology Department of the University of South Carolina documented collection of the following 43 species: Longnose Gar, Bowfin, Redfin Pickerel, Chain Pickerel, Eastern Mudminnow, Lake Chubsucker, Creek Chubsucker, Carp, Hornyhead Chub, Golden Shiner, Dusky Shiner, Highfin Shiner, Yellowfin Shiner, Eastern Silvery Minnow, Horned Dace (Creek Chub), White Catfish (White Bullhead), Yellow Bullhead, Common Eastern Madtom, American Eel, Blind Fish, Southeastern Starhead Topminnow, Mosquitofish, Pirate Perch, Largemouth Bass, Warmouth, Pumpkinseed, Redear Sunfish (Shellcracker), Longear Sunfish, Redbreast Sunfish, Spotted Sunfish (Stumpknocker), Bluegill (Bream), Blackbanded Sunfish, Bluespotted Sunfish, Mud Sunfish, Flier (Government Bream), Black Crappie (Calico Bass), Yellow Perch, Johnny Darter, Sea-green Darter, Sawcheek Darter, Barratt’s Darter, and Brook Silverside.
From 1999-2002, an extensive SCDNR study of Congaree National Park’s floodplain waters (the Congaree River proper was not surveyed) identified 56 species, including Longnose Gar, Bowfin, American Eel, Gizzard Shad, Threadfin Shad, Eastern Mudminnow, Redfin Pickerel, Chain Pickerel, Greenfin Shiner, Whitefin Shiner, Common Carp, Eastern Silvery Minnow, Bluehead Chub, Golden Shiner, Dusky Shiner, Spottail Shiner, Taillight Shiner, Coastal Shiner, Sailfin Shiner, Creek Chubsucker, Spotted Sucker, Shorthead Redhorse, Snail Bullhead, Yellow Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Flat Bullhead Channel Catfish, Tadpole Madton, Margined Madtom, Flathead Catfish, Swampfish, Pirate Perch, Lined Topminnow, Mosquiotfish, Brook Silverside, White Perch, Mud Sunfish, Flier, Banded Pygmy Sunfish, Blackbanded Sunfish , Bluespotted Sunfish, Redbreast Sunfish, Green Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Warmouth, Bluegill, Dollar Sunfish, Redear Sunfish, Spotted Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Swamp Darter, Tesseleated Darter, Sawcheek Darter, Yellow Perch, and Piedmont Darter. Congaree National Park also identifies Lake Chubsucker, Eastern Mosquitofish, and Speckled Madtom as park species.
Mussels
A 2004 USGS study and a 2008 study by the Nature Conservancy identified 16 mussel species in the Congaree River and its tributaries within Congaree National Park. Species found included Carolina Lance, Eastern Elliptio, Variable Spike, Atlantic Spike, Yellow Lampmussel, Eastern Lampmussel, Eastern Pondmussel, Eastern Floater, Florida Pondhorn, Paper Pondshell, Savannah Lilliput, Tidewater Mucket, Eastern Creekshell, Carolina Slabshell, Roanoke Slabshell, and Pink Rayed Fatmucket. Subsequent to the 2008 study, efforts in 2009 and 2010 focused on two species of concern: Savannah Lilliput and Yellow Lampmussel (Lampsillis cariosa).
Crayfish
A 2005-2006 SCDNR/Clemson study identified 7 species of crayfish in Congaree National Park, including Cedar Creek Crayfish (Procambarus chacei), Devil Crayfish (Cambarus diogenes), Sickle Crayfish (Cambarus reduncus), Digger Crayfish (Fallicambarus fodiens), White River Crayfish (Procambarus acutus), and Eastern Red Swamp Crayfish (Procambarus trogolodytes).
Threatened and Endangered Species
The endangered Roughleaf Loosestrife perennial (Lysimachia asperulaefolia) exists within a Carolina Bay located near the intersection of Airbase Road and Lower Richland Boulevard. Other endangered plant species within the watershed are Canby’s dropwort (Oxypolis canbyi), Georgia aster (Symphyotrichum georgianum), and Smooth coneflower (Echinacea laevigata).
Recent studies have documented activities of the endangered shortnose sturgeon in the Congaree River. Shortnose sturgeon migrate over 40 miles up the Congaree River to spawn. While all migrations to Columbia occurred during the February and March spawning period, several sturgeon returned to the lower Congaree River and remained throughout the summer and fall before moving back into Lake Marion for the winter. The endangered Carolina Heelsplitter is believed to exist in the Congaree River watershed.
As for other wildlife, the American Bald Eagle, once endangered but now recovering, is known to exist along the Congaree River.
Surface Water Hydrology
The Congaree River is formed by the confluence of the Broad and Saluda Rivers just above the Gervais Street Bridge in Columbia. Consequently, flow characteristics in the river are a combination of the highly regulated releases from the Saluda Hydroelectric Project in the Lower Saluda River and the more natural flows in the Broad River. Streamflow in the Congaree River has been monitored continuously by the U.S. Geological Survey for 70 years. During that period, flows have averaged 8,800 cfs and ranged from a low of 576 cfs in 2007 to a peak of 155,000 cfs in 1976. The flood flow of record occurred in 1908 at an estimated 364,000 cfs based on gage-height records that extend back to 1891.
Historically, daily flows have been highly variable due to hydroelectric releases upstream. However, proposed changes in operations and increased minimum flow releases from the Saluda Project should stabilize daily flows. Flows vary seasonally with the greatest flows occurring in the winter months and the lowest during the summer. Local tributary streams contribute flows to a much lesser extent. The largest of these streams include Gills Creek and Cedar Creek on the north (Richland Co.) side of the river and Congaree Creek and Big Beaver Creek on the south (Lexington/Calhoun Co.) side.
Streamflow Gaging Stations and Statistics
USGS Gage Name/Location/# | Period of Record | Mean Flow (cfs) | Min Daily Flow (cfs) | Max Daily Flow (cfs) | Max Peak Flow (cfs) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Congaree River at Columbia (02169500) | 1939 -2009 | 8,800 | 576 (2007) | 150,000 (1976) | 155,000 (1976) |
Congaree Cr at Cayce (02169550) | 1959 - 1980 | 222 | 111 (1970) | 1,600 (1959) | 1,840 (1959) |
Gills Cr at Columbia (02169570) | 1966 - 2009 | 71.1 | 1.1 (2007) | 1,730 (1986) | 2,880 (1979) |
Big Beaver Cr near St. Matthews (02169630) | 1966 - 1993 | 13.6 | 3.9 (1988) | 285 (1971) | 1,360 (1971) |
Cedar Cr near Hopkins (02169670) | 1981 - 1985 | 66.2 | 4.2 (1982) | 372 (1983) | NA |
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, 2010 and Wachob et al., 2009
Real-time streamflow and/or gage height (stage) can be accessed at some stations in the basin from the U.S. Geological Service web site. The stations are listed in the table below.
Real-time Gaging Stations in the Congaree River Basin
Gage Name and Location | Gage Number | Stage/Flow |
---|---|---|
Congaree River at Columbia | 02169500 | S/F |
Trib to Rocky Br above Gervais St, Columbia | 021695045 | S |
Rocky Br above Pickens St, Columbia | 021695048 | S |
Rocky Br at Whaley St, Columbia | 021695060 | S |
Gills Cr at Columbia | 02169570 | S/F |
Congaree River at Congaree NP | 02169625 | S |
Cedar Cr at Congaree NP | 02169672 | S |
Surface Water Quality
For water quality management purposes, the Congaree River and its tributary streams are all classified "freshwater" by DHEC. This classification means that these waters are suitable for primary (swimming) and secondary recreation (boating, fishing), as well as, the survival and propagation of a balanced indigenous aquatic plant and animal community. The classification also means that the water is suitable for industrial and agricultural uses and for drinking water after treatment. Water quality monitoring data from DHEC indicate that recreational use is impaired in numerous locations along the Congaree River and tributary streams due to elevated fecal coliform levels. TMDL's have been approved to address the problem on Congaree Creek, Gills Creek, Lake Carolina, and Sixmile Creek.
Aquatic life impairment was identified at five sites due to a variety of factors including poor macroinvertebrate assemblages, low dissolved oxygen, and high copper levels. Elevated mercury levels were found in fish samples from Forest Lake, Sesquicentennial State Park, and three locations on the Congaree River. DHEC has issued a fish consumption advisory for the entire Congaree River due to elevated mercury levels in some fish species. They advise that people limit consumption of largemouth bass, chain pickerel, and bowfin (mudfish) to one meal per week.
Impaired Waters in the Congaree River Basin
Station | Description | Use | Cause | Report No. | Tmdl Approved |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
B-080 | Broad River Diversion Canal at Cola Water Plant | Rec | FC | ||
Rs-04521 | Buckhead Creek at S-09-151 2.1 Mi Ne of Fort Motte | Al | BIO | ||
C-071 | Cedar Ck at S-40-734 | Al | BIO | ||
C-070 | Congaree Ck at S-32-66 | Rec | FC | ||
C-008 | Congaree Ck at US 21 at Cayce Water Intake | Rec | FC | 010-04 | 9/16/2004 |
C-007a | Congaree River @ Barney Jordan Ramp | Fish | Hg | ||
C-007f | Congaree River @ St Hwy 378 | Fish | Hg | ||
S-967 | Congaree River @ Devro-Teepak Discharge Outfall | Al | Cu | ||
S-960 | Congaree River @ Gills Creek Mouth | Rec | FC | ||
S-955 | Congaree River @ Rosewood Landing | Rec | FC | ||
S-995 | Congaree River midway between Voridian Intake and Outfall | Rec | FC | ||
S-996 | Congaree River, small bend in river upstream of Westinghouse Outfall | Rec | FC | ||
S-997 | Congaree River, small bend in river upstream of Westinghouse Outfall | Rec | FC | ||
Csb-001r | Congaree Rvr at Blossom St (Broad River) | Rec | FC | ||
Csb - 001l | Congaree Rvr at Blossom St (Saluda River) | Rec | FC | ||
C-007 | Congaree River at US 601 (SC-001) | Fish | Hg | ||
C-074 | Congaree Rvr, West Boundary of Congaree Swamp Monument | Rec | FC | ||
C-068 | Forest Lake at Dam | Fish | Hg | ||
C-001 | Gills Ck at Brdg on US 76 (Garners Ferry Road) | Rec | FC | 011n-18 | 11/5/2010 |
C-017 | Gills Ck at SC 48 (Bluff Road) | Al | DO | 011n-18 | 11/5/2010 |
C-017 | Gills Ck at SC 48 (Bluff Road) | Rec | FC | 011n-18 | 11/5/2010 |
C-025 | Lk Caroline Spillway at Platt Springs Rd | Rec | FC | 010-04 | 9/16/2004 |
C-021 | Mill Ck at SC 262 | Rec | FC | ||
C-073 | Reeder Point Br at SC 48 | Rec | FC | ||
C-046 | Sesquicentennial State Park | Fish | Hg | ||
C-005 | Sixmile Ck on US 21 S of Cayce | Al | DO | ||
C-005 | Sixmile Ck on US 21 S of Cayce | Rec | FC | 010-04 | 9/16/2004 |
S-950 | Tom's Creek at Red Bluff Rd. | Rec | FC | ||
S-950 | Tom's Creek at Red Bluff Rd. | Al | pH |
Source: DHEC 2010 303d List and Approved TMDL List as of 12/09/10
Wastewater Discharges
There are 28 individual permitted wastewater dischargers on the Congaree River. These include 12 domestic dischargers, 12 industrial dischargers, and four municipal. The major municipal dischargers include the City of Columbia, City of Cayce, and the City of West Columbia.
Individual NPDES Permits in the Congaree River Basin
NPES No. | Permittee Name | Facility Type | County | Receiving Stream |
---|---|---|---|---|
SC0030651 | CWS/Glenn Village | Domestic | Lexington | Tributary to First Creek |
SC0030473 | Shandon Terrace/Parkwood Mhp | Domestic | Lexington | Unnamed Trib-Six Mile Creek |
SC0031321 | TCH Properties LLC/Silver Lake | Domestic | Lexington | Tom's Br-Congaree Rv |
SC0033685 | Rolling Meadows Mhp | Domestic | Lexington | Tom's Branch To-Congaree River |
SC0030988 | Bellemeade Sd | Domestic | Lexington | Ditch-Dry Creek-Congaree River |
SC0031178 | Brookforest Mobile Home Est. | Domestic | Lexington | Dry Ck-Congaree River |
SC0031402 | Piney Grove Util/Lloydwood Sd | Domestic | Lexington | Unnamed Trib to Dry Creek |
SC0031500 | Rich Dist 1/Hopkins Jr. High | Domestic | Richland | Ditch-Cedar Crk-Congaree River |
SC0031399 | Piney Grove Ut/Franklin Park | Domestic | Richland | Cabin Br-Myers Ck-Congaree River |
SC0031496 | Rich Dist 1/Hopkins Elem | Domestic | Richland | Horse Pen Branch-Cabin Creek |
SC0032018 | Cedar Creek Mhp | Domestic | Richland | |
SC0031526 | Rich Dist 1/Gadsden Elementary | Domestic | Richland | Ditch-Cedar Crk-Congaree River |
SC0045110 | Lexington Co/Edmund Landfill | Industrial | Lexington | Bear Ck -First Ck-Congaree River |
SC0039021 | Solar Farms Inc. | Industrial | Lexington | Pipe/St Dr/6-Mi Ck-Congaree Ck |
SC0046264 | Amphenol Corporation | Industrial | Richland | Ephemeral Stream-Jackson Creek |
SC0003786 | US Army/Fort Jackson | Industrial | Richland | Lake Katherine |
SC0003786 | US Army/Fort Jackson | Industrial | Richland | |
SC0041386 | SC Dept Agric/Calibration Stat | Industrial | Richland | Storm Drain to Congaree River |
SC0002062 | Columbia Hydroelectric Project | Industrial | Richland | |
SC0001333 | Eastman Chemical/SC Operations | Industrial | Calhoun | |
SC001848 | Westinghouse Elec LLC/Columbia | Industrial | Richland | Congaree River |
SC0000701 | US Air National Guard/Mcentire | Industrial | Richland | |
SC0003786 | US Army/Fort Jackson | Industrial | Richland | |
SC0033367 | Devro Inc./Coria Division | Industrial | Calhoun | Congaree River |
SC0024147 | Cayce WWTP | Municipal | Lexington | Congaree River |
SC0040339 | SC DOT/I-26 Rest | Municipal | Calhoun | |
SC0038865 | East Rich Co PSD/Gills Creek | Municipal | Richland | Congaree River |
SC0020940 | Columbia/Metro Plant | Municipal | Richland |
Source: DHEC NPDES database file 2010.
Surface Water Withdrawals
There are a total of 20 surface water withdrawers in the Congaree River Basin withdrawing a total of 35,537 million gallons per year for off-stream uses. The largest withdrawers are Eastman Chemical (21,188 MG) and the City of Columbia (10,530 MG) which combined comprise 89% of all surface water withdrawals in the basin. Water use by the Columbia Canal Hydroelectric Project (242,257 MG) is considered an "instream" use; however, it diverts the water from the Broad River for 3.5 miles before discharging it back into the Congaree River. Relicensing conditions for the project require minimum flow releases into the diverted portion of the river at all time.
2009 Surface water withdrawals in the Congaree River Basin
Facility Name | Owner's ID | Source ID | Use Type | Stream Name | County | Total Use (MG) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Southland Fisheries Corp | Cedar Creek | 40AQ018S01 | Aquaculture | Cedar Creek | Richland | 38.6 |
Charwood Country Club | #5 White Pond | 32GC002S02 | Golf Course | #5 White Pond | Lexington | 57.2 |
Enhanced Golf Mngmnt Hidden Valley GC | Irr. Pond #18 | 32GC003S03 | Golf Course | Irr. Pond #18 | Lexington | 38.05 |
Forest Lake Golf Club | Forest Lake | 40GC002S01 | Golf Course | Forest Lake | Richland | 39.57 |
Fort Jackson Golf Course | Legion Lake | 40GC010S01 | Golf Course | Legion Lake | Richland | 82 |
Indian River Golf Club | Congaree Creek | 32GC009S01 | Golf Course | Congaree Creek | Lexington | 2 |
Spring Valley Country Club | Pump Station | 40GC004S02 | Golf Course | Pond | Richland | 87.44 |
Wildewood Country Club | Echo Lake | 40GC005S03 | Golf Course | Echo Lake | Richland | 41.66 |
SCE&G Columbia Hydro | Columbia Hydro | 40PH001S01 | Hydroelectric | Columbia Canal | Richland | 242,257.20 |
Commercial Metals Co SMI Steel SC | Monkey Springs Ck | 32IN051S01 | Industrial | Monkey Springs Ck | Lexington | 61.16 |
Eastman Chemical Co., SC Operations | Congaree River | 09IN001S01 | Industrial | Congaree River | Calhoun | 21,188.54 |
Hardaway Concrete Company Inc. | Collection Pond | 40IN006S01 | Industrial | Richland | 6.02 | |
US Silica Company | #2 Settling Pond | 32IN008S01 | Industrial | First Creek | Lexington | 145.62 |
US Silica Company | Clarifier | 32IN008S02 | Industrial | Second Creek | Lexington | 800.9 |
US Silica Company | Canal | 32IN008S04 | Industrial | Second Creek | Lexington | 72.81 |
Walker Farm | Walker Canal (RRW-1) | 40IR001S01 | Irrigation | Cedar Creek | Richland | 0.55 |
Martin Marietta Aggr Cayce Quarry | River Pump | 32MI001S01 | Mining | Lexington | 247.3 | |
Cayce Water Plant | Congaree River | 32WS004S02 | Water Supply | Congaree River | Lexington | 1,022.30 |
Columbia, City of | Broad River Canal | 40WS002S01 | Water Supply | Broad River | Richland | 10,530.24 |
West Columbia, City of | Congaree River | 32WS008S01 | Water Supply | Congaree River | Lexington | 1,075.29 |
Source: DHEC 2009 Surface Water Withdrawal Data.