Project Overview
Along its winding course, the Lynches River passes through a varied landscape of pine uplands, farms, rural crossroads, and deep swamp forest. Special features include numerous small islands and sloughs, intermittent bluffs, bottomland hardwood wetlands, and artesian wells. Along the 7.5 miles of riverfront protected as part of Lee State Natural Area and Lynches River County Park, trees soar to impressive heights untouched by the woodsman's axe. The river corridor provides excellent habitat for fish such as redbreast and wildlife including river otters, white-tailed deer, and wood ducks. Recreation opportunities abound. The river also holds historic significance as a hideout for slaves during the Civil War and as the site of the state's last duel. Fortunately, the landowners and communities along the Lynches have long recognized the value of the river's natural, scenic, and historic attributes.
On March 24, 1994, Governor Carroll Campbell signed the Lynches River Scenic River bill officially designating the stretch between US 15 in Lee County and the eastern boundary of Lynches River County Park in Florence County as a State Scenic River. This 54-mile scenic section flows through four counties (Darlington, Florence, Lee and Sumter).
In October 1994, the Lynches River Advisory Council was formed to guide development and implementation of a long-term management plan for the river. Completed in August 1997, the Lynches Scenic River Management Plan presents the results of an intensive, two-year study of the river. Through this study, the advisory council identified several issues that will affect the future management of the river and proposed responsive, workable means to deal with those issues. At the same time, the advisory council looked for opportunities to protect the river and its resources through advocacy, cooperative efforts, education, research, and/or implementation of sound management practices. The study resulted in the development of 65 management recommendations. These recommendations form the core of the management plan.
The advisory council faced this challenging task to develop a plan that acknowledges and protects the unique and outstanding resources of the river while safeguarding the rights of private property owners. All of the plan's recommendations are guidelines or suggestions. They do not create any new regulations. Instead, the plan urges the river community to work together in a voluntary framework to protect the river. Participation in the plan's implementation is at the discretion of each individual, group, or governmental entity.
Since 1997, the advisory council has worked to implement the recommendations of the management plan. In addition, the advisory council acts as a community watchdog for issues that may affect the river. As Lynches River community members, the advisory council also acts as a steward and advocate of the river and spreads the word about the importance of this spectacular natural resource and its importance in the Pee Dee Region of South Carolina.
Advisory Council
Soon after the Lynches was designated as a State Scenic River, the director of the SC Department of Natural Resources (DNR) appointed a ten-member advisory council to put together a plan for long-term protection of the river. This council, chaired by DNR staff, is made up of local people who live in the community and know the river. A majority of the council members own property on the Lynches. The council includes business and private landowners, large and small property owners, life-long residents and newcomers to the area. Many of the original council members continue to serve. The current advisory council consists of the following:
Voting Members:
- SC Department of Natural Resources
- Kenneth Strickland, Vice-Chair, landowner in Florence County
- Mike Mathis, SC Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism; Lee State Natural Area and Lynches River county parks anchor the scenic segment in Lee and Florence counties.
- David Kelley, a riparian landowner in Florence County
- Edward (Mickey) McDowell, a riparian landowner in Lee County
- Robert Peeples, a riparian landowner in Lee County
- Anne Carraway, a riparian landowner in Sumter County
- Don Meredith, represents landowners in Darlington County
The Lynches River Advisory Council Also includes sixteen ex-officio members who serve on the council by virtue of technical expertise or a position held in the river-bordering community:
- Alex (Buz) Shaw, Darlington County Council
- Mitchell Kirby, Florence County Council
- Gordon Eckley, Lee County Council
- Artie Baker, Sumter County Council
- Wylie Owens, Pee Dee RC & D District, US Natural Resources Conservation Service
- Roger Hall, Watershed Manager, Department of Health & Environmental Control
- Alex Kelley, President, Lynches River Council
- Dr. John Rae, Biology Professor, Francis Marion University
- Brian Fox, The Timber Company
- Bobby Carter, SCDNR District Conservationist
- Rosalind McClam, Lynches River Coalition/Clean Water
- Nathan Fowler, National Dye Works, Inc.
- Stan Hutto, Parks, Recreation and Tourism
County First Alternate Members are local landowners/community members who will become voting members upon resignation or removal of voting member from the same county. They serve on the council in an ex-officio capacity.
- Vacant,Darlington County
- Betty Strickland Hancock, landowner, Florence County
- Robert Peeples, landowner, Lee County
- Charles Truluck, landowner, Sumter County
Project Activities
Current Lynches River Project Activities:
- Monthly Advisory Council Meetings: Each month, usually on the first Tuesday, the advisory council meets to discuss river issues, progress of current projects, and plan future activities. The public is invited to attend, please contact Stuart Greeter of the SC DNR for specific meeting locations and additional information.
- Development of Water Quality Monitoring Program: A goal of the advisory council is to develop a comprehensive water quality monitoring program, with participation of both volunteer groups and corporate sponsors. This program will allow collection of additional water samples that will provide more data that will lead to a better understanding of Lynches River water quality.
- Outreach and Education: We are always looking to introduce more people to the exceptional resources of the Lynches River. To accomplish this goal, the advisory council hosts public seminars on various topics including, but not limited to, wildlife, water quality, and conservation. We are also happy to provide presentations about the Lynches River to interested groups. In addition, the advisory council also organizes recreational opportunities, such as canoe trips.
- Developing the Lynches Recreation Canoe Trail: Plans for a canoe trial are currently underway. We have just completed mapping the scenic portion of the Lynches River and are looking for historic photos, information, and anecdotes for inclusion in the trail. We envision a canoe trail stretching the entire segment with recreational, ecological, and educational information along the way. An SC State Trails Program grant has recently been awarded to SCDNR to fund a Lynches Scenic River Trail Guide.
Ongoing Lynches River Project Activities:
- Continue distributing the management plan to the river community.
- Continue efforts to build relationships with point source dischargers.
- Maintain regular contact with SC DHEC (review of permit compliance information, review of ambient water quality monitoring data, review of proposed NPDES permits, etc.)
- Clean-up the Sardis Baptist Church boat landing several times per year, which the advisory council co-adopted with the church. We also continually look for other local groups willing to help keep other boat landings on the Lynches River clean on a year-round basis.
- Continue to explore the Lynches River by canoe.
- Miscellaneous advocacy activities (dependent on issues-at-hand).
Recreational Access
US 15 Boat Landing
The US 15 boat landing is located just northeast of Bishopville in Lee County. It is on the east bank of the Lynches River. The state-designated Lynches Scenic River begins at this point and extends 54 miles downstream to the eastern boundary of Lynches River County Park. Water level permitting, this is an excellent point to begin a river trip. A short trip of 2 to 3 miles will take the paddler to Lee State Park. A longer trip of approximately 8 miles, to the old Field's Bridge landing, is another option.
Protected as part of Lee State Park, most of the east bank along this stretch is forested. Some of the trees are tremendous and stretch upwards to impressive heights. A tall bluff sits opposite the park just north of the Interstate 20 crossing. After passing under I-20, the river slips past pastures and woodlands on its way to Field's Bridge. Observant paddlers may see beaver, deer, raccoon, or other wildlife.
Lee State Park owns 5.6 miles along the Lynches River in Lee County. The park has a loop road which offers access to the river at four different points. However, the low-lying road is flooded-out and impassable for a good part of the year. Paddlers should check with park officials (803-428-5307) before making plans to put-in or take-out at the park. There are plans to build a boat ramp at the park in the near future. These plans also call for improvements to the loop road.
Lee State Park features a campground and would serve as an excellent base for exploration of the Lynches Scenic River.
The Old Field's Bridge Landing is located on the east bank (left side) of the Lynches in Lee County approximately 8 miles below US 15. Access is via a long, dirt road off of County Road 22. The landing is not officially designated as a public boat landing, but is open for public use.
US 401 public boat landing is located on the west bank (right side) of the Lynches in Lee County at the US 401 road crossing (approximately 4 to 5 miles below Field's Bridge and 12 to 13 miles from US 15). At this point, the river forms the boundary between Lee and Darlington counties. Below US 401, the river runs a straighter course between higher, well- defined banks.
US 76 boat landing is located on the west bank (right side) of the Lynches in Lee County (just outside of Lynchburg) at the US 76 road crossing approximately 11.4 miles below US 401 and 24 miles downstream from US 15. At this point, the river forms the boundary between Lee and Florence counties. This section of the river is in a transition zone from the Middle to Lower Coastal Plain region of South Carolina. The change becomes evident about four miles below US 76 with the addition of numerous cypress and willow trees.
SC 403 boat landing is located on the east (left) bank of the Lynches in Florence County approximately 9.1 miles below US 76 and 33 miles below US 15. The landing is not a public facility the property is owned by Sardis Baptist Church. However, public use is allowed. Overnight camping is allowed with permission from the church.
US 301 is located approximately 7.1 miles below SC 403 and 40 miles below US 15. The river is not easily accessible at this point. The banks are steep and there is not a road down to the river. To access the river at this point requires permission from the river-bordering landowner(s).
Lynches River County Park is located approximately 13.5 miles downstream from US 301. The park has built a canoe and kayak launch that allows the paddler easy entrance and exit at various water levels. The park's canoe and kayak launch is also handicap accessible. The park boasts a riverside picnic area and nature trail adjacent to the river as well as overnight camping and cabins. There are also bathrooms close by. Contact the park offices for more information at (1-877-319-7799).
The next boat landing is located approximately 3 miles downstream at the US 52 road crossing.
The Lynches River Festival is an annual event held to celebrate the Lynches Scenic River and build appreciation for the river as a resource by raising environmental awareness within the local community. The first festival was held in May 1997. The festival is geared toward people of all ages with any interest in the river, including landowners, fishermen, hunters, borders, and outdoor enthusiasts. The past three festivals have been a great success with several hundred people attending each year. The Festival has hosted a multitude of educational hands-on activities, exhibits, and workshops such as: canoe trips, nature walks, photography workshops and natural gardening seminars. Special activities for kids have included canoe races, bandana decorating, and fossil hunting. The Advisory Council is currently looking to put together a Festival Committee to organize the event.
Contacts:
Mary Crockett
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
P.O. Box 167
Columbia, SC 29202
Telephone: (803) 734-9111