Waccamaw River Heritage Preserve
Contact Information
SC Department of Natural ResourcesHeritage Trust Program
PO Box 167
Columbia, SC 29202
(803) 734-3886 (Columbia)
Hours of Operation
The preserve is open year-round.
Contributions to the Endangered Wildlife Fund on the South Carolina Income Tax Form help to make the identification and management of these preserves possible.
Important Information for Visitors
Photographs
Description
Imagine spending a day or more floating down this lazy black water river or strolling along its sugar-white sandy banks, punctuated with bald cypress, live oaks, Atlantic white cedar, loblolly pines, and rare plants.
The 5,347-acre Waccamaw River Heritage Preserve showcases 30 miles of protected river wetlands and bottomland hardwood forests, and stretches from the North Carolina State line to Red Bluff. It is the only river that originates in a Carolina Bay, Lake Waccamaw in North Carolina. The river ends by joining the Great Pee Dee River to form Winyah Bay and flow into the Atlantic at Georgetown.
"The real draw to this place is the river," says Jamie Dozier, wildlife biologist in charge of the Coastal Preserve Management.
The rare Atlantic white cedar is like the wood for the Juniper boats in "Moby Dick," Dozier says. "The bark is curved and the wood is white. There are just patches left and one is on the Waccamaw River."
Bird enthusiasts should bring binoculars. Spring and fall are the best times to see the birds. Waterfowl and wading birds abound, as well as birds of prey, like the Mississippi kite. Also present are songbirds, including Acadian and great-crested flycatchers, bright yellow prothonotary and other warblers, yellow-billed cuckoos, barred owls, and pileated woodpeckers.
Otters and beavers make the preserve their home, as do cottonmouths. There are plenty of harmless snakes and turtles, too.
People say the fishing is good, especially for bream and bass in the black water river. Black water rivers originate in the coastal plains. The water is dark because of the tannic acid from the leaves.
Picnicking, swimming and paddling also are popular pastimes. A nature trail is planned for the Schultz Tract, where a public dove field is open for dove shoots in season. Hunters must have permits.
In the late summer or fall when the water level is usually higher, people can navigate the river by motorboat, canoes or kayaks. There are numerous sandbars along the river. At just about anytime, people can put in canoes or kayaks. Paddlers can expect to travel 2 mph at low water and 4 mph at high water. Average paddle times from Wortham's Ferry to SC Highway 9 ramp is two hours; from SC Highway 9 ramp to Star Bluff, three and a half hours; from Star Bluff to Big Savannah Bluff, one hour; from Big Savannah Bluff to Red Bluff, four hours.