Wateree River: Lugoff Landing to Highway 1

Skill Level: Easy

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Rapids: Class I

Length: 7.20 miles

Duration: 3.5 - 5 hours

Portaging: No

What to Expect

This is a scenic and forested stretch of the Wateree River. The float begins with small shoals below the Lake Wateree Dam as the river crosses the fall line. The second half of the trips is flat water.

Access

Put in:

Lugoff Landing

1600 Tail Race Rd, Lugoff, SC

Access Details

Boat ramp with dirt parking lot below the Wateree Dam.

Take out:

U.S. 1 Bridge Access Point

River Ramp Rd., Lugoff, SC

Access Details

Boat ramp under the US 1 / Hwy 601 Bridge in Lugoff, SC. Paved ramp with gravel parking lot.

Trip Details

This is a beginner friendly trip with small whitewater at the beginning.

Waterway:

Wateree River

Downstream Trip (1)

Wateree River: Highway 1 to Tolar Boat Ramp (US 378/76)

Comments (9)

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Wayne Schaefer

Apr 15, 2024 9:41 pm EDT

Paddled this trip today, 4/15/2024. The water level was just over 11 ft. and the flow was about 3700 cfs. Plenty of rocks were showing. Moving time was around 2 hrs. 20 min. We just drifted most of the way after the rapids. We used the kayak ramp at the take out and found it to be very cumbersome. I've used others that are much better.

Nickolas King

Jun 25, 2023 5:51 am EDT

I rode the Wateree after recent rains. Depth was about 15 feet and cfs ~12,000. She was smooth as silk in a tandem kayak, only took 2 hours and we rarely paddled.

Nickolas King

Jun 25, 2023 5:51 am EDT

I rode the Wateree after recent rains. Depth was about 15 feet and cfs ~12,000. She was smooth as silk in a tandem kayak, only took 2 hours and we rarely paddled.

Tripp Clark

Oct 15, 2020 9:31 pm EDT

Made this trip twice in recent days; once on Friday, Oct 9 and then again on Monday, Oct 12. Water was flowing strong. Each trip took about 1 hour and 45 minutes with minimal paddling. Our take out was before the bridge at the new dock at Veteran's Park, shaving about 0.2 off the trip.

jane man

Oct 03, 2020 2:37 am EDT

google

jane man

Oct 03, 2020 2:36 am EDT

this is a great trip

Kevin Johnson

May 11, 2020 7:16 am EDT

Completed this trip for the second time on Sat, May 6. The river wasat 9,040 CFS and took about 4 hours. It was very pleasant and still very little paddling. The rocks we more prominent - especially the first mile or two but not a problem. If you're looking for a lazy afternoon float with a few low level rapids at the beginning I'd recommend!

Kevin Johnson

May 04, 2020 11:42 am EDT

Did this the afternoon of May 1st, 2020. The water was at 13,500 CFS and we had a decent wind to our back. Didn't paddle at all and finished the trip in 2 hours. I'll give it another go when the flow is lower. It is very relaxing.

James Reap

Apr 01, 2020 4:01 pm EDT

Great Trip, it took 3 hours and 12 minutes from put in to take out with very minimum paddling. CFS was 13330 according to what I looked up so it helped with the time.

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