COLUMBIA, S.C. — As of this week the Congaree has been running around 2.7 feet. This is slightly above last week’s levels which were the lowest we have seen in over a decade.
Bill Stangler the Congaree Riverkeeper says low water can occur along our rivers but, the timing is not as common.
“This isn’t usually when we see our lowest river levels, usually that is in peak Summer when things are a bit warmer.”
Fall is our climatologically driest season here in the Midlands but our rivers really depend on the Foothills and Mountains of the Carolinas for most of their water; this region is currently seeing drought thanks to much lower rainfall than what we typically see during this time of the year.
While river levels are only impacting boating over certain stretches, especially by exposing rocks, Stangler says that if conditions worsen, it could start to impact the environment.
“You could see wildlife impacts, diminishing habitat and diminishing water for wildlife, that could be an issue.”
While other issues could arise from lower water levels, we are not near a stage where there would be any concern.
Lower water can be seen as a negative, Stangler says it has provided them a unique opportunity to clean the river over the past few weeks with the help of volunteers.
“We can get to stuff we normally don’t get to because the water level is lower… whether it was tires or trash that would normally be under a few feet of water.”