CONGAREE RIVER AT COLUMBIA, SC
USGS 02169500 · South Carolina · reports discharge (live), gauge height
Reading CONGAREE RIVER AT COLUMBIA, SC…
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USGS 02169500 · South Carolina · reports discharge (live), gauge height
What the agencies suggest
Carry a pocket thermometer to monitor water temperatureNational Park Service
General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.
Reading Nov 5, 9:00 PM EST · provisional USGS data
Normal for Nov 5 Steady · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 169 readings from Oct 29, 10:00 PM EDT to Nov 5, 9:00 PM EST; ranging 3,190 to 3,390 ft³/s; latest 3,280 ft³/s; shaded band: typical range (25th–75th percentile) for each date.
USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.
| Time | Discharge (ft³/s) | Gauge height (ft) | Normal, 25th–75th (ft³/s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 9:00 PM EST | 3,280 | 3.38 | 2,980–7,450 |
| Nov 5, 8:00 PM EST | 3,280 | 3.38 | 2,980–7,450 |
| Nov 5, 7:00 PM EST | 3,280 | 3.38 | 2,980–7,450 |
| Nov 5, 6:00 PM EST | 3,280 | 3.38 | 2,980–7,450 |
| Nov 5, 5:00 PM EST | 3,280 | 3.38 | 2,980–7,450 |
| Nov 5, 4:00 PM EST | 3,280 | 3.38 | 2,980–7,450 |
| Nov 5, 3:00 PM EST | 3,280 | 3.38 | 2,980–7,450 |
| Nov 5, 2:00 PM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 2,980–7,450 |
| Nov 5, 1:00 PM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 2,980–7,450 |
| Nov 5, 12:00 PM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 2,980–7,450 |
| Nov 5, 11:00 AM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 2,980–7,450 |
| Nov 5, 10:00 AM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 2,980–7,450 |
| Nov 5, 9:00 AM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 2,980–7,450 |
| Nov 5, 8:00 AM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 2,980–7,450 |
| Nov 5, 7:00 AM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 2,980–7,450 |
| Nov 5, 6:00 AM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 2,980–7,450 |
| Nov 5, 5:00 AM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 2,980–7,450 |
| Nov 5, 4:00 AM EST | 3,280 | 3.38 | 2,980–7,450 |
| Nov 5, 3:00 AM EST | 3,280 | 3.38 | 2,980–7,450 |
| Nov 5, 2:00 AM EST | 3,300 | 3.39 | 2,980–7,450 |
| Nov 5, 1:00 AM EST | 3,300 | 3.39 | 2,980–7,450 |
| Nov 5, 12:00 AM EST | 3,300 | 3.39 | 2,980–7,450 |
| Nov 4, 11:00 PM EST | 3,300 | 3.39 | 3,220–7,340 |
| Nov 4, 10:00 PM EST | 3,300 | 3.39 | 3,220–7,340 |
| Nov 4, 9:00 PM EST | 3,300 | 3.39 | 3,220–7,340 |
| Nov 4, 8:00 PM EST | 3,300 | 3.39 | 3,220–7,340 |
| Nov 4, 7:00 PM EST | 3,300 | 3.39 | 3,220–7,340 |
| Nov 4, 6:00 PM EST | 3,300 | 3.39 | 3,220–7,340 |
| Nov 4, 5:00 PM EST | 3,300 | 3.39 | 3,220–7,340 |
| Nov 4, 4:00 PM EST | 3,300 | 3.39 | 3,220–7,340 |
| Nov 4, 3:00 PM EST | 3,300 | 3.39 | 3,220–7,340 |
| Nov 4, 2:00 PM EST | 3,300 | 3.39 | 3,220–7,340 |
| Nov 4, 1:00 PM EST | 3,280 | 3.38 | 3,220–7,340 |
| Nov 4, 12:00 PM EST | 3,280 | 3.38 | 3,220–7,340 |
| Nov 4, 11:00 AM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 3,220–7,340 |
| Nov 4, 10:00 AM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 3,220–7,340 |
| Nov 4, 9:00 AM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 3,220–7,340 |
| Nov 4, 8:00 AM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 3,220–7,340 |
| Nov 4, 7:00 AM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 3,220–7,340 |
| Nov 4, 6:00 AM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 3,220–7,340 |
| Nov 4, 5:00 AM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 3,220–7,340 |
| Nov 4, 4:00 AM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 3,220–7,340 |
| Nov 4, 3:00 AM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 3,220–7,340 |
| Nov 4, 2:00 AM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 3,220–7,340 |
| Nov 4, 1:00 AM EST | 3,280 | 3.38 | 3,220–7,340 |
| Nov 4, 12:00 AM EST | 3,280 | 3.38 | 3,220–7,340 |
| Nov 3, 11:00 PM EST | 3,280 | 3.38 | 2,940–6,800 |
| Nov 3, 10:00 PM EST | 3,280 | 3.38 | 2,940–6,800 |
| Nov 3, 9:00 PM EST | 3,280 | 3.38 | 2,940–6,800 |
| Nov 3, 8:00 PM EST | 3,280 | 3.38 | 2,940–6,800 |
| Nov 3, 7:00 PM EST | 3,280 | 3.38 | 2,940–6,800 |
| Nov 3, 6:00 PM EST | 3,280 | 3.38 | 2,940–6,800 |
| Nov 3, 5:00 PM EST | 3,280 | 3.38 | 2,940–6,800 |
| Nov 3, 4:00 PM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 2,940–6,800 |
| Nov 3, 3:00 PM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 2,940–6,800 |
| Nov 3, 2:00 PM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 2,940–6,800 |
| Nov 3, 1:00 PM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 2,940–6,800 |
| Nov 3, 12:00 PM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 2,940–6,800 |
| Nov 3, 11:00 AM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 2,940–6,800 |
| Nov 3, 10:00 AM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 2,940–6,800 |
| Nov 3, 9:00 AM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 2,940–6,800 |
| Nov 3, 8:00 AM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 2,940–6,800 |
| Nov 3, 7:00 AM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 2,940–6,800 |
| Nov 3, 6:00 AM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 2,940–6,800 |
| Nov 3, 5:00 AM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 2,940–6,800 |
| Nov 3, 4:00 AM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 2,940–6,800 |
| Nov 3, 3:00 AM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 2,940–6,800 |
| Nov 3, 2:00 AM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 2,940–6,800 |
| Nov 3, 1:00 AM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 2,940–6,800 |
| Nov 3, 12:00 AM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 2,940–6,800 |
| Nov 2, 11:00 PM EST | 3,280 | 3.38 | 2,780–6,580 |
| Nov 2, 10:00 PM EST | 3,280 | 3.38 | 2,780–6,580 |
| Nov 2, 9:00 PM EST | 3,280 | 3.38 | 2,780–6,580 |
| Nov 2, 8:00 PM EST | 3,280 | 3.38 | 2,780–6,580 |
| Nov 2, 7:00 PM EST | 3,280 | 3.38 | 2,780–6,580 |
| Nov 2, 6:00 PM EST | 3,280 | 3.38 | 2,780–6,580 |
| Nov 2, 5:00 PM EST | 3,280 | 3.38 | 2,780–6,580 |
| Nov 2, 4:00 PM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 2,780–6,580 |
| Nov 2, 3:00 PM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 2,780–6,580 |
| Nov 2, 2:00 PM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 2,780–6,580 |
| Nov 2, 1:00 PM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 2,780–6,580 |
| Nov 2, 12:00 PM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 2,780–6,580 |
| Nov 2, 11:00 AM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 2,780–6,580 |
| Nov 2, 10:00 AM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 2,780–6,580 |
| Nov 2, 9:00 AM EST | 3,230 | 3.36 | 2,780–6,580 |
| Nov 2, 8:00 AM EST | 3,230 | 3.36 | 2,780–6,580 |
| Nov 2, 7:00 AM EST | 3,230 | 3.36 | 2,780–6,580 |
| Nov 2, 6:00 AM EST | 3,230 | 3.36 | 2,780–6,580 |
| Nov 2, 5:00 AM EST | 3,230 | 3.36 | 2,780–6,580 |
| Nov 2, 4:00 AM EST | 3,230 | 3.36 | 2,780–6,580 |
| Nov 2, 3:00 AM EST | 3,210 | 3.35 | 2,780–6,580 |
| Nov 2, 2:00 AM EST | 3,230 | 3.36 | 2,780–6,580 |
| Nov 2, 1:00 AM EST | 3,230 | 3.36 | 2,780–6,580 |
| Nov 2, 12:00 AM EST | 3,230 | 3.36 | 2,780–6,580 |
| Nov 1, 11:00 PM EST | 3,230 | 3.36 | 3,100–7,150 |
| Nov 1, 10:00 PM EST | 3,230 | 3.36 | 3,100–7,150 |
| Nov 1, 9:00 PM EST | 3,230 | 3.36 | 3,100–7,150 |
| Nov 1, 8:00 PM EST | 3,230 | 3.36 | 3,100–7,150 |
| Nov 1, 7:00 PM EST | 3,230 | 3.36 | 3,100–7,150 |
| Nov 1, 6:00 PM EST | 3,320 | 3.4 | 3,100–7,150 |
| Nov 1, 5:00 PM EST | 3,350 | 3.41 | 3,100–7,150 |
| Nov 1, 4:00 PM EST | 3,350 | 3.41 | 3,100–7,150 |
| Nov 1, 3:00 PM EST | 3,350 | 3.41 | 3,100–7,150 |
| Nov 1, 2:00 PM EST | 3,350 | 3.41 | 3,100–7,150 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 PM EST | 3,370 | 3.42 | 3,100–7,150 |
| Nov 1, 12:00 PM EST | 3,390 | 3.43 | 3,100–7,150 |
| Nov 1, 11:00 AM EST | 3,280 | 3.38 | 3,100–7,150 |
| Nov 1, 10:00 AM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 3,100–7,150 |
| Nov 1, 9:00 AM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 3,100–7,150 |
| Nov 1, 8:00 AM EST | 3,230 | 3.36 | 3,100–7,150 |
| Nov 1, 7:00 AM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 3,100–7,150 |
| Nov 1, 6:00 AM EST | 3,230 | 3.36 | 3,100–7,150 |
| Nov 1, 5:00 AM EST | 3,230 | 3.36 | 3,100–7,150 |
| Nov 1, 4:00 AM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 3,100–7,150 |
| Nov 1, 3:00 AM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 3,100–7,150 |
| Nov 1, 2:00 AM EST | 3,250 | 3.37 | 3,100–7,150 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 AM EST | 3,230 | 3.36 | 3,100–7,150 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 AM EDT | 3,230 | 3.36 | 3,100–7,150 |
| Nov 1, 12:00 AM EDT | 3,230 | 3.36 | 3,100–7,150 |
| Oct 31, 11:00 PM EDT | 3,230 | 3.36 | 3,510–6,780 |
| Oct 31, 10:00 PM EDT | 3,230 | 3.36 | 3,510–6,780 |
| Oct 31, 9:00 PM EDT | 3,230 | 3.36 | 3,510–6,780 |
| Oct 31, 8:00 PM EDT | 3,230 | 3.36 | 3,510–6,780 |
| Oct 31, 7:00 PM EDT | 3,230 | 3.36 | 3,510–6,780 |
| Oct 31, 6:00 PM EDT | 3,230 | 3.36 | 3,510–6,780 |
| Oct 31, 5:00 PM EDT | 3,230 | 3.36 | 3,510–6,780 |
| Oct 31, 4:00 PM EDT | 3,230 | 3.36 | 3,510–6,780 |
| Oct 31, 3:00 PM EDT | 3,210 | 3.35 | 3,510–6,780 |
| Oct 31, 2:00 PM EDT | 3,210 | 3.35 | 3,510–6,780 |
| Oct 31, 1:00 PM EDT | 3,210 | 3.35 | 3,510–6,780 |
| Oct 31, 12:00 PM EDT | 3,210 | 3.35 | 3,510–6,780 |
| Oct 31, 11:00 AM EDT | 3,210 | 3.35 | 3,510–6,780 |
| Oct 31, 10:00 AM EDT | 3,190 | 3.34 | 3,510–6,780 |
| Oct 31, 9:00 AM EDT | 3,190 | 3.34 | 3,510–6,780 |
| Oct 31, 8:00 AM EDT | 3,190 | 3.34 | 3,510–6,780 |
| Oct 31, 7:00 AM EDT | 3,210 | 3.35 | 3,510–6,780 |
| Oct 31, 6:00 AM EDT | 3,210 | 3.35 | 3,510–6,780 |
| Oct 31, 5:00 AM EDT | 3,210 | 3.35 | 3,510–6,780 |
| Oct 31, 4:00 AM EDT | 3,210 | 3.35 | 3,510–6,780 |
| Oct 31, 3:00 AM EDT | 3,230 | 3.36 | 3,510–6,780 |
| Oct 31, 2:00 AM EDT | 3,230 | 3.36 | 3,510–6,780 |
| Oct 31, 1:00 AM EDT | 3,250 | 3.37 | 3,510–6,780 |
| Oct 31, 12:00 AM EDT | 3,250 | 3.37 | 3,510–6,780 |
| Oct 30, 11:00 PM EDT | 3,250 | 3.37 | 3,560–6,840 |
| Oct 30, 10:00 PM EDT | 3,250 | 3.37 | 3,560–6,840 |
| Oct 30, 9:00 PM EDT | 3,250 | 3.37 | 3,560–6,840 |
| Oct 30, 8:00 PM EDT | 3,250 | 3.37 | 3,560–6,840 |
| Oct 30, 7:00 PM EDT | 3,250 | 3.37 | 3,560–6,840 |
| Oct 30, 6:00 PM EDT | 3,250 | 3.37 | 3,560–6,840 |
| Oct 30, 5:00 PM EDT | 3,250 | 3.37 | 3,560–6,840 |
| Oct 30, 4:00 PM EDT | 3,250 | 3.37 | 3,560–6,840 |
| Oct 30, 3:00 PM EDT | 3,250 | 3.37 | 3,560–6,840 |
| Oct 30, 2:00 PM EDT | 3,230 | 3.36 | 3,560–6,840 |
| Oct 30, 1:00 PM EDT | 3,230 | 3.36 | 3,560–6,840 |
| Oct 30, 12:00 PM EDT | 3,230 | 3.36 | 3,560–6,840 |
| Oct 30, 11:00 AM EDT | 3,230 | 3.36 | 3,560–6,840 |
| Oct 30, 10:00 AM EDT | 3,230 | 3.36 | 3,560–6,840 |
| Oct 30, 9:00 AM EDT | 3,210 | 3.35 | 3,560–6,840 |
| Oct 30, 8:00 AM EDT | 3,210 | 3.35 | 3,560–6,840 |
| Oct 30, 7:00 AM EDT | 3,210 | 3.35 | 3,560–6,840 |
| Oct 30, 6:00 AM EDT | 3,210 | 3.35 | 3,560–6,840 |
| Oct 30, 5:00 AM EDT | 3,210 | 3.35 | 3,560–6,840 |
| Oct 30, 4:00 AM EDT | 3,210 | 3.35 | 3,560–6,840 |
| Oct 30, 3:00 AM EDT | 3,210 | 3.35 | 3,560–6,840 |
| Oct 30, 2:00 AM EDT | 3,230 | 3.36 | 3,560–6,840 |
| Oct 30, 1:00 AM EDT | 3,230 | 3.36 | 3,560–6,840 |
| Oct 30, 12:00 AM EDT | 3,230 | 3.36 | 3,560–6,840 |
| Oct 29, 11:00 PM EDT | 3,230 | 3.36 | 3,200–7,230 |
| Oct 29, 10:00 PM EDT | 3,230 | 3.36 | 3,200–7,230 |
Map of USGS gauge 02169500 and the river around it
Where CONGAREE RIVER AT COLUMBIA, SC sits, with 3 other gauges on the same river.
No current water-temperature reading at this gauge, so no temperature guidance is given. Take a stream thermometer: the trout lines South Carolina DNR uses are 62°F and 70°F.
Species list not on file for this gauge.
Normal for Nov 5: 2,980–7,450 ft³/s (middle half of 87 years of record). Now: 3,280 ft³/s, normal.
Normal for this date. 3,280 ft³/s is between the 25th and 75th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 87 years of record (1940–2026): 10th 1,820, 25th 2,980, median 5,100, 75th 7,450, 90th 12,400 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 943 ft³/s, highest 50,900 ft³/s.
Classes as USGS labels them (hyswap: flow categories (WDFN_stats schema) (U.S. Geological Survey) ); percentiles from the USGS daily statistics (U.S. Geological Survey) (approved daily means; the reading is provisional and instantaneous).
Steady over 24 hours (−0.6% discharge). Rising or falling means a change of more than 10% in discharge (or 0.2 ft of gauge height) over 24 hours; our rule of thumb, not a USGS class.
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
Flood categories: action stage, minor, moderate and major flooding (National Weather Service)Turn Around Don't Drown. “A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.” No flow number makes a crossing safe; if in doubt, stay out.
Turn Around Don't Drown (National Weather Service)Guidance from the readings above and the published thresholds named with each line; not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access. Local rules and closures come first.
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
NWS observed 3.38 ft stage, 3,100 ft³/s at Nov 5, 9:00 PM EST (NWS gauge COLS1; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
NWS river forecast forecast issued Nov 5, 11:34 AM EST. Highest point: 4 ft, 4,640 ft³/s on Nov 7, 7:00 PM EST (Below NWS action stage).
| Day | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 5 | 3.4 ft | 3,140 ft³/s |
| Fri, Nov 6 | 3.6 ft | 3,600 ft³/s |
| Sat, Nov 7 | 4 ft | 4,640 ft³/s |
| Sun, Nov 8 | 4 ft | 4,640 ft³/s |
| Mon, Nov 9 | 3.7 ft | 3,850 ft³/s |
| Tue, Nov 10 | 3.5 ft | 3,370 ft³/s |
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
Checked Nov 5, 9:55 PM EST; readings refresh at most every 15 minutes and statistics daily. Provisional USGS data can be revised. Conditions change: re-check before you go. This is general guidance, not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access.