Columbia, SC (WLTX) – River levels are rising in Columbia after rain has pounded the Midlands and the Upstate of South Carolina.
You may have noticed the last few days that the river looks higher than usual. You wouldn't be wrong about that.
Over the last week, we've received about an inch and a half to 3 inches of rain. If you compare a picture of the Congaree River from July 2017 to now, it looks a lot different. The rocks that you usually see are now almost completely under water.
All that rain in the Upstate and North Carolina is making its way down to Columbia. Water has also been released from the Lake Murray dam to flow into the Saluda and down to the Congaree.
The Congaree Riverkeeper, Bill Stangler, says the water level could be up to 10 feet Friday in the Congaree. Downstream, the river near Congaree National Park could reach up to 16 feet.
Stangler says there are a few things you should keep in mind when heading to the river this week.
“There’s a lot of water coming down both the Broad and Saluda rivers right now. We’re going to see probably some minor flooding on the Congaree in town. It might close some of the Riverwalk areas. Some more flooding is expected downstream in areas near Congaree National Park. That’s not uncommon because it is a floodplain and that’s why the national park is the way it is. Water is going to be high down there,” explained Stangler.
The riverkeeper says you shouldn’t be too concerned about the water getting much higher, but you shouldn’t mess around if you’re heading into the rivers.
“We’re not going to be at flood stage in the downtown area, but there will be flood stage areas downstream as you get towards the floodplain and Congaree National Park and those areas below Columbia. But that doesn’t mean there are no risks. You could still get yourself in a lot of trouble if you put in a boat at this level and you don’t know what you’re doing even though it’s below flood stage,” said Stangler.
Stangler says it’ll take a couple of days for the water to drop back down once the rain and water from the Upstate come through the area.
If you would like more information on the riverkeeper, click here.