Preliminary Peak Stage and Streamflow Data at

Selected USGS Streamgaging Stations for the

South Carolina Flood of October 2015

Open-File Report 2015–1201

 Version 1.1, November 2015

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
Cover: Left bank looking upstream toward U.S.

Geological Survey station 02169570, Gills Creek

at Columbia, S.C. Streamgaging station is

located on the downstream side of the bridge on

U.S. Highways 378 and 76 (Devine St.). 

Photograph: Dale F. Skipper, U.S. Geological 

Survey, October 5, 2015 
Preliminary Peak Stage and Streamflow 

Data at Selected USGS Streamgaging 

Stations for the South Carolina Flood of 

October 2015

By Toby D. Feaster, John M. Shelton, and Jeanne C. Robbins

Open-File Report 2015–1201

Version 1.1, November 2015

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
U.S. Department of the Interior

SALLY JEWELL, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

Suzette M. Kimball, Acting Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2015

Revised: November 2015

For more information on the USGS—the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living 

resources, natural hazards, and the environment—visit http://www.usgs.gov or call 1–888–ASK–USGS.

For an overview of USGS information products, including maps, imagery, and publications, 

visit http://www.usgs.gov/pubprod/.

Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the 

U.S. Government.

Although this information product, for the most part, is in the public domain, it also may contain copyrighted materials 

as noted in the text. Permission to reproduce copyrighted items must be secured from the copyright owner.

Suggested citation:

Feaster, T.D., Shelton, J.M., and Robbins, J.C., 2015, Preliminary peak stage and streamflow data at selected 

USGS streamgaging stations for the South Carolina flood of October 2015 (ver. 1.1, November 2015): U.S. Geological 

Survey Open-File Report 2015–1201, 19 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20151201.

ISSN 2331-1258 (online)
iii

Contents

Abstract...........................................................................................................................................................1

Introduction.....................................................................................................................................................1

Purpose and Scope ..............................................................................................................................4

Study Area..............................................................................................................................................4

General Weather Conditions and Precipitation That Contributed to the October 2015 Flooding.....4

Methods Used to Collect Streamflow Data...............................................................................................6

Peak Streamflow and Stage ........................................................................................................................8

Comparison of the October 2015 Flood to Past Floods ............................................................................8

Summary........................................................................................................................................................10

References Cited..........................................................................................................................................10

Figures

 1. Infrared satellite image of the intense rainfall being funneled into South Carolina 

during the morning of October 3, 2015 ......................................................................................1

 2. Aerial photograph of flooding in Columbia, S.C., at the confluence of the Broad 

and Saluda Rivers, looking upstream........................................................................................2

 3. Aerial photograph of flooding in Charleston, S.C., and surrounding areas, 

October 5, 2015..............................................................................................................................2

 4. Image showing preliminary National Weather Service rainfall totals for 

October 1–5, 2015..........................................................................................................................3

 5. Graph showing Black River at Kingstree, S.C. (USGS station 02136000), total rainfall 

for October 1–5, 2015....................................................................................................................3

 6. Map showing USGS real-time streamgages in South Carolina............................................5

 7. Photograph showing USGS personnel making a streamflow measurement at 

station 02110701, Crabtree Swamp at Conway, S.C., using an acoustic Doppler 

current profiler..............................................................................................................................7

 8. Rating curves developed for use before (red) and after (blue) the October 2015 

flood for Bush River near Prosperity, S.C. (USGS station 02167582) showing 

streamflow measurements made during the event................................................................7

 9. Photograph showing USGS field crews conducting surveys of high-water marks to 

document the depth of flood waters in Lexington County, S.C., for the 

October 2015 flood........................................................................................................................8

 10. Black River at Kingstree, S.C. (USGS station 02136000) stage and streamflow 

hydrographs and graph showing associated rainfall for October 1–11, 2015 ....................9

Tables

1. Preliminary peak stage and streamflow data at selected streamgages in 

South Carolina for the October 2015 flood..............................................................................11

2. Chronology of major and other memorable floods in South Carolina since 1893 ............19
iv

Conversion Factors

Inch/Pound to SI

Multiply By To obtain

Length

foot (ft) 0.3048 meter (m)

mile (mi) 1.609 kilometer (km)

Area

square mile (mi2) 259.0 hectare (ha)

square mile (mi2) 2.590 square kilometer (km2) 

Flow rate

foot per second (ft/s) 0.3048 meter per second (m/s)

cubic foot per second (ft3/s) 0.02832 cubic meter per second (m3/s)
Abstract 

Heavy rainfall occurred across South Carolina during 

October 1–5, 2015, as a result of an upper atmospheric 

low-pressure system that funneled tropical moisture from 

Hurricane Joaquin into the State. The storm caused major 

flooding from the central to the coastal areas of South 

Carolina. Almost 27 inches of rain fell near Mount Pleasant 

in Charleston County during this period. U.S. Geological 

Survey streamgages recorded peaks of record at 17 locations, 

and 15 other locations had peaks that ranked in the top 5 for 

the period of record. During the October 2015 flood event, 

U.S. Geological Survey personnel made about 140 streamflow 

measurements at 86 locations to verify, update, or extend 

existing rating curves, which are used to compute streamflow 

from monitored river stage. 

Introduction

The presence of an upper atmospheric low-pressure 

system over the Southeast funneled tropical moisture from 

Hurricane Joaquin into South Carolina during the period 

October 1–5, 2015, causing historic rainfall amounts 

(http://www.weather.com/news/news/stunning-meteorologicalimages-october-2015-flooding, accessed October 8, 2015) 

(fig. 1). Widespread, heavy rainfall resulted in major flooding 

in areas from the central part of the State (fig. 2) to the coast 

(fig. 3). Some areas experienced more than 20 inches of 

rainfall over the period October 1–5, 2015 (fig. 4; National 

Weather Service, written commun., October 7, 2015). One 

USGS raingage at Black River at Kingstree, South Carolina 

(USGS station 02136000), recorded 22.89 inches of rain 

for the period October 1–5, 2015 (fig. 5). Flooding from 

Preliminary Peak Stage and Streamflow Data at Selected 

USGS Streamgaging Stations for the South Carolina Flood 

of October 2015

By Toby D. Feaster, John M. Shelton, and Jeanne C. Robbins

Figure 1. Infrared satellite image of the intense rainfall being funneled into South Carolina during the morning of 

October 3, 2015. (NASA)
2 Preliminary Peak Stage and Streamflow Data at USGS Streamgaging Stations for the South Carolina Flood of October 2015

Figure 2. Aerial photograph of flooding in Columbia, South Carolina, at the confluence 

of the Broad and Saluda Rivers, looking upstream. (Photograph by the South Carolina 

Army National Guard, October 5, 2015)

Figure 3. Aerial photograph of flooding in Charleston, South Carolina, and surrounding 

areas, October 5, 2015. (Photograph by Petty Officer 1st Class Stephen Lehmann, 

U.S. Coast Guard)
Introduction﻿ 3

Figure 4. Preliminary National Weather Service rainfall totals for October 1–5, 2015. (National Weather 

Service)

Figure 5. Black River at Kingstree, South Carolina (U.S. Geological Survey station 02136000), cumulative 

total rainfall for October 1–5, 2015.

BLACK RIVER AT KINGSTREE, SC 02136000

1 2 3 4 5

October 2015

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

22

24

Cumulative rainfall (in inches)

EXPLANATION

Cumulative rainfall, in inches
4 Preliminary Peak Stage and Streamflow Data at USGS Streamgaging Stations for the South Carolina Flood of October 2015

this event resulted in at least 17 fatalities (http://www.

reuters.com/article/2015/10/07/us-usa-weather-floodsidUSKCN0S11E720151007, accessed October 8, 2015). 

South Carolina officials have been quoted in media outlets 

as saying agricultural losses could conservatively be at least 

$300 million, with cleanup costs across the State that could 

top $1 billion (http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-southcarolina-postcards-20151008-htmlstory.html, accessed 

October 9, 2015). 

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) collects and 

disseminates streamflow data at more than 9,800 streamgages 

nationwide. In South Carolina, the USGS operates about 170 

real-time streamgages, in cooperation with numerous local, 

State, and Federal agencies, monitoring gage height, streamflow, reservoir elevations, and tidal flow (fig. 6; http://

waterdata.usgs.gov/sc/nwis/current/?type=flow). Streamflow 

data collection serves a variety of purposes including 

providing information for flood forecasts and documenting 

flood extent and levels. Leading up to and during flooding, 

streamflow data are vital for flood warning, forecasting, 

and emergency management. The long-term, systematic 

streamflow data are used to assess risk and to mitigate flooding 

through flood-plain management and in the design or repair 

of infrastructure (for example, roads, bridges, reservoirs, and 

pipelines), houses, and buildings.

Purpose and Scope

The purpose of this report is to provide preliminary 

information documenting the peak streamflows and stages for 

those rivers and streams in South Carolina that are part of the 

USGS real-time streamgaging network impacted by the historic 

rainfall that occurred October 1–5, 2015. The 2015 flood peak 

flows are placed into context by ranking the October 2015 flood 

peaks with other annual flood peaks for the period of record at 

each streamgage as well as historic floods that might precede 

USGS systematic records. National Weather Service (NWS) 

flood stage information is also provided for sites where a NWS 

flood stage has been defined (table 1, at the back of the report).

Study Area

South Carolina is located on the South Atlantic slope 

adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean, has an area of 31,055 square 

miles, and is generally divided into three major physiographic 

provinces: Blue Ridge, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain (Cooke, 

1936). The Blue Ridge is a mountainous region of steep terrain 

with some stream gradients greater than 250 feet (ft) per mile 

(Bloxham, 1979). Land-surface elevation ranges from 1,000 to 

more than 3,500 ft above sea level. 

The Piedmont is characterized by rolling hills, elongated 

ridges, and moderately deep to shallow valleys. Piedmont 

land-surface elevations range from about 1,000 ft above sea 

level at the Blue Ridge foothills to about 400 ft above sea 

level at the Fall Line, which is the name given to the boundary 

between the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions. 

About two-thirds of the State is in the Coastal Plain 

region (Badr and others, 2004). In the Coastal Plain, bedrock 

is overlain by sediments, which thicken from just a few feet 

near the Fall Line to about 3,800 feet at the southernmost 

corner of the State. At the Fall Line, a narrow, hilly region, 

known as the Sand Hills, is located where the Piedmont 

descends to the Coastal Plain (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2015). The Sand Hills region is about 

30 to 40 miles wide with elevations ranging from about 

500 to 200 feet. The lower part of the Coastal Plain consists of 

low-elevation, flat plains with many swamps, marshes, dunes, 

barrier islands, and beaches, which typically are lower, flatter, 

and more poorly drained than the upper part of the Coastal 

Plain (Omernik, 1987).

In South Carolina, precipitation is principally delivered 

by storms that move inward from the Gulf of Mexico, the 

Caribbean Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean (U.S. Geological 

Survey, 1985). Additionally, local and upwind land surfaces, 

as well as lakes and reservoirs, provide moisture to the atmosphere by evaporation. In a normal year, monthly precipitation 

is highest in the winter, reaching a maximum in early March 

and then decreasing sharply in April and May. Annual rainfall 

in South Carolina averages as much as 80 inches in the highest 

elevations of the Blue Ridge to less than 45 inches in parts of 

the upper portion of the Coastal Plain and Sand Hills regions 

(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2015). 

In general, the Blue Ridge region receives an average of 

about 56 inches or more of annual rainfall, the upper portion 

of the Piedmont about 47 to 55 inches, the lower portion of 

the Piedmont about 45 to 48 inches, the upper portion of the 

Coastal Plain about 44 to 49 inches, and the lower portion 

of the Coastal Plain about 46 to 53 inches. Fall is typically a 

dry season (except in instances when tropical cyclones occur) 

with minimal statewide precipitation during October and 

November. 

General Weather Conditions and 

Precipitation That Contributed to the 

October 2015 Flooding

The combination of a slow-moving, upper-level low 

over the Southeastern United States, an area of low pressure 

at the surface located along a stationary frontal boundary, 

and a persistent plume of tropical moisture associated with 

Hurricane Joaquin (fig. 1) produced historic rainfall over 

portions of South Carolina during the period October 1–5, 

2015 (L. Vaughn, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, written commun., October 8, 2015). This 

system caused significant widespread freshwater flooding 

throughout the State. Preliminary data show the highest 

rainfall total of 26.9 inches near Mount Pleasant, S.C. 

(Charleston County) (fig. 4). Preliminary data also show 

the Charleston Airport rainfall totals set new records for the 
General Weather Conditions and Precipitation That Contributed to the October 2015 Flooding 5

Figure 6. USGS real-time streamgages in South Carolina.

0 10 20 40 60 80 MILES

0 12.5 25 50 75 100 KILOMETERS

River basins from the 1:100,000-scale NHD Watershed Boundary Dataset

State boundaries from the U.S. Census Tiger-Line files

Ecoregions from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1:7,500,000-scale digital data

(Omernik, 1987, revised 2002)

!

!#

!# #*

!#

!#

#*

#*

#*

#*

#*

# !#

#

#

!# #

#

#* #* #*

#

!# #

!# !#

!#

#*

#*##*

#*#

#

#*#

#

#

#

#*###*#*

#*

#

# #*##

#*#

#

#*

#

#

#

#

#

##

!# !#

!#

#*#

#*!#

#

##*

#

#

#

#

!#

!#

!#!#

#*!##!# !#

#* #*!# ###*#*!#

#*#*

#*

#*

#*#

#*!#

#

#*#*

#*

#*#

#* !#

#*#*

#*#*

#*#*

#*#* #*

!#

#*

#!#

!#

!#

!#

!# #

#

# #

#*

#*

#

#* #

#*

#*

#

#*#*

#

#*

#

#*

#

#*

#*#*

#*

#*

#*

#*

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13 14

16 15

17

19

20

21

22

23

25

26 27

28

30 31

32

33

34

35

37 40

41 42

43

46 47

48

49

50

51

52

53

55

57

58

59

64 65

66

67 68

69

70

72

73

74

75

76

77

78 79

80

81

82

83

84

85

86

18

29

36

38

39

54

56

71

83° 82° 81° 80° 79°

35°

34°

33°

32°

NORTH CAROLINA

SOUTH CAROLINA

GEORGIA

Ashepoo-Combahee-Edisto

River Basin

Savannah

River Basin

Catawba-Santee

River Basin

River Basin

Yadkin-Pee Dee

# #*#

#*!# #*#*!#

###* #*

!#

#* #*

#*

!#

#*

62 63

61

60

45

44

24

Columbia area streamgages

Inset

ATLANTIC OCEAN

SAND HILLS

Fall Line

EXPLANATION

Blue Ridge

Piedmont

Coastal Plain

County line (South Carolina)

Rivers and lakes

River basin boundary

# Real-time streamgage included in table 1

#* Real-time streamgage

!# Streamgage peak of record

!# Streamgage top 5 peak of record

Lake Murray

SALUDA DAM
6 Preliminary Peak Stage and Streamflow Data at USGS Streamgaging Stations for the South Carolina Flood of October 2015

greatest 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-day totals of 11.50, 14.31, 15.92, 

and 17.29 inches, respectively (National Weather Service, 

written commun., October 5, 2015). The previous record 

totals were 10.52 inches on September 21, 1998; 11.10 inches 

on June 10–11, 1973; 11.95 inches on June 9–11, 1973; and 

16.56 inches on June 7–11, 1973. The downtown Charleston 

rainfall for October 3, 2015, was the third highest 1-day total 

rainfall of 9.25 inches with the highest 1-day total rainfall of 

10.38 inches occurring on June 11, 1973; October 3–4, 2015, 

was tied for the highest 2-day total rainfall of 11.74 inches, 

which occurred on June 10–11, 1973; October 1–3, 2015, set a 

new record for the greatest 3-day total rainfall of 13.80 inches 

with the previous high being 12.39 inches on June 9–11, 1973; 

and October 1–4, 2015, set a record for the greatest 4-day 

total rainfall of 16.29 inches with the previous high being 

13.80 inches on June 7–11, 1973. The Columbia Metropolitan 

Airport rainfall on October 4, 2015, set a new record for the 

greatest 1-day rainfall of 6.71 inches, breaking the previous 

record of 5.79 inches set on July 9, 1959. In addition, the 

October 3–4, 2015, rainfall set a new record for the greatest 

2-day rainfall at the airport of 10.28 inches, breaking the 

previous record of 7.69 inches on August 16–17, 1949, 

(http://www.weather.gov/cae/HistoricFloodingOct2015.html, 

accessed October 13, 2015). The historic rainfall also resulted 

in moderate to major river flooding at selected NWS river 

forecast points across South Carolina. At least 20 NWS river 

forecast locations exceeded established NWS flood stages 

(table 1).

The impacts of this event were widespread across South 

Carolina. Approximately 410 roads or bridges were closed 

during the event including 74 miles of I-95 between I-26 

and I-20 (U.S. Department of Interior Office of Emergency 

Management, written commun., October 8, 2015). At least 

17 minor dam failures resulted from the rainfall event. Some 

major reservoirs, such as the Saluda Dam at Lake Murray, 

initiated flood control releases. South Carolina emergency 

management officials reported that more than 200 water 

rescues were conducted. In addition to flooding, saturated 

soils along with moderate to strong east/northeasterly winds 

contributed to the downing of trees and power lines across 

portions of South Carolina. As a result, about 50,000 residents 

lost power during the storm as of Monday, October 5, 2015 

(L. Vaughn, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, written commun., October 8, 2015).

Methods Used to Collect Streamflow Data

In this report, streamflow data refer to both stage or gage 

height (in feet) and volumetric streamflow (in cubic feet per 

second). These data were collected systematically at continuous record streamgages or from field measurements of stage in 

cases where the gage structure or equipment was damaged by 

flood waters.

U.S. Geological Survey streamgages operate autonomously by collecting data at regular time intervals (typically 

either 5 or 15 minutes) depending on watershed size and 

flashiness of the stream. Typically, streamgages automatically record stage data. The stage data are collected using a 

variety of methods (float, submersible pressure transducer, 

non-submersible pressure transducer, or non-contact radar). 

More information about how USGS streamgages work is 

available in Lurry (2011). Although stage data are important, 

streamflow data are often more important for such purposes 

as streamflow forecasting for flood warning, water-quality 

loading, flood-frequency analysis, and flood-mitigation 

planning. Computation of streamflow at a streamgage requires 

periodic measurements of streamflow over a range of stage. 

The relation defined between stage and measured streamflow 

is used to convert the stage data to streamflow. USGS personnel (fig. 7) measure stream velocity and stream depth onsite 

to determine near-instantaneous streamflow (Turnipseed and 

Sauer, 2010).

In most cases, the correlation is a simple stagestreamflow relation or rating curve. After construction of the 

rating curve, continued periodic measurements of streamflow 

are required at various stages to verify or support changes to 

a station rating curve. (fig. 8). During the October 2015 flood, 

USGS personnel made about 140 streamflow measurements 

at 86 locations in South Carolina to verify, update, or extend 

existing rating curves. 

In some cases, direct measurements of streamflow during 

a flood are not possible or are impractical. In those instances, 

indirect measurement methods can be used (Benson and 

Dalrymple, 1967), whereby water-surface profiles determined 

by high-water marks and channel roughness and geometry are 

used in hydraulic equations based on the principles of conservation of energy, conservation of momentum, and continuity 

to compute the peak streamflow for that particular flood. The 

high-water marks and channel geometry are determined by 
Methods Used to Collect Stream-flow Data 7

Figure 7. U.S. Geological Survey personnel making a streamflow measurement at station 02110701, 

Crabtree Swamp at Conway, South Carolina, using an acoustic Doppler current profiler. 

Figure 8. Rating curves developed for use before (red) and after (blue) the October 2015 flood for Bush 

River near Prosperity, South Carolina (U.S. Geological Survey station 02167582), showing streamflow 

measurements made during the event.

BUSH RIVER NEAR PROSPERITY, SC 02167582

Discharge, in cubic feet per second

0.5

1

2

5

10

20

30

Pre-established rating curve

Updated and extended rating curve based on October 2015 

 streamflow measurements

October 2015 streamflow measurements

October 2015 peak stage

EXPLANATION

Stage, in feet above artibrary datum

0.1 0.4 1 4 10 40 100 400 1,000 4,000 10,000 30,000
8 Preliminary Peak Stage and Streamflow Data at USGS Streamgaging Stations for the South Carolina Flood of October 2015

field survey. Roughness is subjectively determined on the 

basis of bed material, cross-section irregularities, depth of 

flow, vegetation, and channel alignment. The USGS assigns 

uncertainty/accuracy estimates to each indirect measurement 

on the basis of the hydraulic and geometry conditions found at 

each field site (Benson and Dalrymple, 1967; Dalrymple and 

others, 1967; Hulsing, 1967; Matthai, 1967; Bodhaine, 1968). 

In other cases, high-water marks are documented for the 

purpose of recording the depth of the flood waters (fig. 9).

Peak Streamflow and Stage

Peak streamflow and stage during the October 2015 

flood for 86 streamgages are listed in table 1 (at the back of 

the report), and their site locations are shown in figure 6. The 

streamgages included in table 1 were chosen because (1) both 

peak stage and peak streamflow for the October 2015 flood 

event were monitored at the site, and (2) historic streamflow 

and (or) stage data were available for comparison. Where the 

full period of record of peak streamflow is available, comparisons were made on peak streamflow. However, at some sites 

the peak stage for this event may be lower than a previous 

peak stage due to backwater conditions, datum changes, or 

change in the upper end of the rating curve.

The rank for the 2015 peak streamflow at selected 

streamgages for the period of record is presented in table 1. 

If for the previous maximum stage the maximum streamflow 

was undetermined, the rank was based on the peak stage 

comparison from the flood of October 2015 instead of the 

peak streamflow and is indicated as such in the Remarks 

column of table 1. Seventeen of the 86 streamgages had new 

peaks of record. Of the 61 stations with at least 20 years of 

record, eight had new peaks of record: 02136000, Black River 

at Kingstree (87 years) (fig. 10); 02136361, Turkey Creek near 

Maryville (21 years); 02162093, Smith Branch at North Main 

Street at Columbia (38 years); 02167450, Little River near 

Silverstreet (24 years); 02167582, Bush River near Prosperity 

(24 years); 02168504, Saluda River below Lake Murray Dam 

near Columbia (26 years); 02169570, Gills Creek at Columbia 

(50 years); and 02175000, Edisto River near Givhans 

(81 years). 

Along with the 17 streamgages that had new peaks of 

record, an additional 15 streamgages recorded new peaks that 

ranked in the top 5 for the period of record. For stations with 

at least 20 years of record, 13 recorded peaks ranked in the top 

5 for the period of record. 

Comparison of the October 2015 Flood 

to Past Floods

In the Pee Dee River Basin, a new period of record peak 

occurred on October 6, 2015, for station 02136000, Black 

River at Kingstree, with a stage of 22.65 ft and corresponding 

streamflow of 83,700 cubic feet per second (ft3/s) (fig. 10). 

This was the largest peak in 87 years; the previous maximum 

peak occurred on June 14, 1973. Annual maximum peak stage 

data contained in reports of the National Weather Service 

indicate the October 2015 peak is the largest since 1893. 

Although not the peak of record, the peak on October 6, 2015, 

at station 02132000, Lynches River at Effingham, was the 

third largest peak for the 88 years of record; the maximum 

peak of record occurred on September 22, 1945. Annual 

maximum peak stage data contained in reports of the National 

Figure 9. U.S. Geological Survey field crews 

conducting surveys of high-water marks to document 

the depth of flood waters in Lexington County, South 

Carolina, for the October 2015 flood. 
Comparison of the October 2015 Flood to Past Floods 9

Figure 10. Black River at Kingstree, South Carolina (U.S. Geological Survey station 02136000) stage and 

streamflow hydrographs and associated rainfall for October 1–11, 2015.

Weather Service indicate the October 2015 peak is the third 

largest since 1892.

In the Waccamaw River Basin, annual peak stage and 

streamflow data have been collected at station 02110500, 

Waccamaw River near Longs, since 1951. For the 2015 flood, 

the peak occurred on October 6, 2015, and was the second 

largest peak in 64 years of record. The maximum peak of 

record occurred on September 22, 1999, and was associated 

with rainfall from the passage of Hurricane Floyd.

Station 02169500, Congaree River at Columbia, has 

one of the longest records of annual peak flows of the USGS 

streamgages in South Carolina, with systematic records of 

annual peak streamflow from 1892 to present. Additional 

information for a flood in 1852 is available; therefore, the 

site is of great value in placing the current flood in context to 

other historical floods. The Congaree River is formed by the 

convergence of the Saluda and Broad Rivers at Columbia, 

SC. The Saluda River is regulated by the Saluda Dam, which 

was completed in 1929 (Conrads and others, 2008). Low-head 

dams on the Broad River have regulated low streamflows 

since the late 1880s and early 1900s, but flood flows are 

essentially unregulated. The Broad River Basin accounts for 

approximately two-thirds of the drainage area for the Congaree River at Columbia station. 

Conrads and others (2008) assessed the impact that the 

Saluda Dam has had on the flood frequency of flows on the 

Congaree River and concluded that the 1-percent chance 

flood (also referred to as the 100-year flood) is likely reduced 

by about 18 percent due to regulation on the Saluda River. 

Consequently, comparison of major floods that have occurred 

on the Congaree River after construction of the Saluda Dam 

with those prior to the construction of the Saluda Dam provides 

insightful information with respect to historical floods. The 

Congaree River at Columbia peaked at 185,000 ft3/s at a peak 

stage of 31.8 ft on October 4, 2015. When compared to the 

historical flood record, this peak ranks eighth out of 123 years 

of record with the peak of record being 364,000 ft3/s at a peak 

stage of 39.8 ft on August 27, 1908. The last flood to exceed 

the October 2015 peak at the Congaree River at Columbia 

site occurred on April 8, 1936, when the river peaked at 

231,000 ft3/s at a peak stage of 33.3 ft. 

For a historical perspective on the floods caused by the 

heavy rainfall during October 1–5, 2015, a chronology of major 

floods in South Carolina since 1893 is presented in table 2 (at 

the back of the report) (U.S. Geological Survey, 1985; 

http://sc.water.usgs.gov/publications/pdf/

SCFloodsandDroughts1893-2002.pdf; http://www.dnr.sc.gov/

climate/sco/Tropics/hurricane_tracks_affecting_sc.php.)

BLACK RIVER AT KINGSTREE, SC 02136000

October 2015

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

22

24

10

20

50

100

200

500

1,000

2,000

5,000

10,000

20,000

50,000

100,000

Black River at Kingstree, SC, recorded stage (in feet)

Black River at Kingstree, SC, computed streamflow (in cubic feet per second)

Measured stage (in feet)

Measured streamflow (in cubic feet per second)

EXPLANATION

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

Rainfall (in inches)

EXPLANATION

NWS Flood Stage

NWS Moderate Flood Stage

NWS Major Flood Stage

Previous Peak Stage of Record

Total Rainfall 

for October 1–5, 2015 = 22.89 inches

Rainfall, in inches Stage, in feet above arbitrary datum

Streamflow, in cubic feet per second

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
10 Preliminary Peak Stage and Streamflow Data at USGS Streamgaging Stations for the South Carolina Flood of October 2015

Summary

During October 1–5, 2015, flooding on numerous 

streams and rivers from the central to the coastal areas 

of South Carolina resulted in at least 17 fatalities. South 

Carolina officials have been quoted in media outlets as 

saying agricultural losses could conservatively be at least 

$300 million, with cleanup costs across the State that could 

top $1 billion. The flooding was the result of large rainfall 

amounts, including nearly 27 inches of rain in Charleston 

County. On October 4, 2015, rainfall amounts at the Columbia 

Metropolitian Airport set a new record for the greatest 1-day 

rainfall of 6.71 inches, breaking the previous record of 

5.79 inches set on July 9, 1959.

Preliminary peak streamflow and stage data, collected 

by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), are documented 

in this report. New peak streamflow records were set at 17 

USGS streamgages, with an additional 15 USGS streamgages 

having October 2015 peaks that ranked them in the top 5 

for the period of record. In the Pee Dee River Basin, a new 

peak of record was recorded on October 6, 2015, for station 

02136000, Black River at Kingstree—the largest peak for the 

87 years of record available. Annual maximum peak stage data 

contained in reports of the National Weather Service indicate 

the October 2015 peak is the largest since 1893. Although not 

the peak of record, the peak on October 6, 2015, at station 

02132000, Lynches River at Effingham, was the third largest 

peak for the 88 years of record with the maximum peak of 

record occurring on September 22, 1945. Annual maximum 

peak stage data contained in reports of the National Weather 

Service indicate the October 2015 peak is the third largest 

since 1892. Peaks of record also were recorded near the city 

of Columbia at station 02162093, Smith Branch at North 

Main Street at Columbia, and station 02169570, Gills Creek 

at Columbia. During the October 2015 flood, U.S. Geological 

Survey personnel made about 140 streamflow measurements at 86 locations to verify, update, or extend existing 

rating curves. 

References Cited

Badr, A.W., Wachob, Andrew, and Gellici, J.A., 2004, South 

Carolina Water Plan (2d ed.): South Carolina Department of 

Natural Resources, Land, Water and Conservation Division, 

120 p.

Benson, M.A., and Dalrymple, Tate, 1967, General field and 

office procedures for indirect discharge measurements: 

U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of Water-Resources 

Investigations, book 3, chap. A1, 30 p. (Also available at 

http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/twri03A1.)

Bloxham, W.M., 1979, Low-flow frequency and flow duration 

of South Carolina streams: South Carolina Water Resources 

Commission Report No. 11, 48 p.

Bodhaine, G.L., 1968, Measurement of peak discharge at 

culverts by indirect methods: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, book 3, chap. A3, 

60 p. (Also available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/twri/twri3-a3/.)

Conrads, P.A., Feaster, T.D., and Harrelson, L.G., 2008, The 

effects of the Saluda Dam on the surface-water and groundwater hydrology of the Congaree National Park flood plain, 

South Carolina: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2008–5170, 58 p. (Also available at 

http://pubs.water.usgs.gov/sir2008-5170.)

Cooke, C.W., 1936, Geology of the Coastal Plain of South 

Carolina: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 867, 196 p.

Dalrymple, Tate, and Benson, M.A., 1967, Measurement of 

peak discharge by the slope-area method: U.S. Geological 

Survey Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, 

book 3, chap. A2, 12 p. (Also available at http://pubs.usgs.

gov/twri/twri3-a2/.)

Hulsing, Harry, 1967, Measurement of peak discharge at dams 

by indirect methods: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques 

of Water-Resources Investigations, book 3, chap. A5, 29 p. 

(Also available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/twri/twri3-a5/.)

Lurry, D.L., 2011, How does a U.S. Geological Survey 

streamgage work?: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 

2011–3001, 2 p. (Also available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/

fs/2011/3001/.)

Matthai, H.F., 1967, Measurement of peak discharge at width 

contractions by indirect methods: U.S. Geological Survey 

Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, book 3, 

chap. A4, 44 p. (Also available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/twri/

twri3-a4/.)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2015, 

Climate Data Online, accessed October 8, 2015, at 

http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/climatenormals/clim60/states/

Clim_SC_01.pdf.

Omernik, J.M., 1987, Ecoregions of the conterminous United 

States: Annals of the Association of American Geographers, 

v. 77, no. 1, p. 118–125, map scale 1:7,500,000.

Turnipseed, D.P., and Sauer, V.B., 2010, Discharge measurements at gaging stations: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques and Methods book 3, chap. A8, 87 p. (Also available 

at http://pubs.usgs.gov/tm/tm3-a8/.)

U.S. Geological Survey, 1985, National Water Summary 

1988–89, Hydrologic events and floods and droughts: 

U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 2375, 589 p.
Table

s﻿ 11

Table 1. Preliminary peak stage and streamflow data at selected streamgages in South Carolina for the flood of October 2015.—Continued[mi2, square miles; ft, feet; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; ---, data not available. Yellow shading indicates streamgages that recorded peaks of record for the October 2015 flood; green shading indicates streamgages that recorded peaks that ranked in the top 5 for the period of record; Period of record is given in water years, which is the period October 1–September 30 and is identified by the year in which the period ends; < in the Rank column indicates the peak flow for the October 2015 flood was less than the minimum annual peak flow of record]

Map 

site 

number 

(fig. 6)

Station 

number Station name

Contributing drainage area 

(mi2)

Flood data

National 

Weather 

Service 

flood 

stage 

(ft)

Remarks

Previous maximum streamflow

Beginning 

and ending 

water year 

for period of 

record

Flood of October 2015

Date of 

peak 

streamflow

Peak 

stage 

(ft)

Peak 

streamflow 

(ft3/s)

Rank / 

Number of 

annual 

peak 

streamflows in 

record

Date of 

peak 

streamflow

Peak 

stage 

(ft)

Peak 

streamflow 

(ft3/s)

Yadkin-Pee Dee River Basin

1 02110400 BUCK CREEK NEAR 

LONGS, SC

49.4 9/1/2006 14.15 1,540 2006-2013 1/8 10/5/2015 15.75 6,120 ---

2 02110500 WACCAMAW RIVER 

NEAR LONGS, SC

1,110 9/22/1999 17.94 28,200 1951-2014 2/64 10/6/2015 15.17 16,900 ---

3 02110701 CRABTREE SWAMP AT 

CONWAY, SC

17.8 5/14/2012 13.03 1,510 2006-2014 1/9 10/4/2015 20.2 3,120 --- Tidally influenced, which is overcome 

by basin runoff at high flows. Previous maximum stage of 16.53 ft occurred on 7/13/2013.

4 02110704 WACCAMAW RIVER AT 

CONWAY MARINA AT CONWAY, SC

1,440 9/25/1999 17.64 24,100 1995-2014 3/20 10/6/2015 15.93 14,500 11.0 Tidally influenced, which is overcome 

by basin runoff at high flows.

5 02130561 PEE DEE RIVER NR 

BENNETTSVILLE, SC

7,600 4/12/2003 89.94 124,000 1992-2014 16/23 10/5/2015 84.05 46,200 --- Regulated 

6 02130840 BLACK CREEK BELOW 

CHESTERFIELD, SC

51.7 11/23/2006 10.07 1,480 2006-2014 4/9 10/3/2015 9.13 712 14.0

7 02130900 BLACK CREEK NEAR 

MCBEE, SC

108 10/12/1990 13.07 4,500 1960-2014 16/55 10/4/2015 10.24 1,030 15.0

8 02130910 BLACK CREEK NEAR 

HARTSVILLE, SC

173 10/13/1990 12.35 4,450 1961-2014 15/54 10/5/2015 8.75 971 ---

9 02130980 BLACK CREEK NEAR 

QUINBY, SC

438 9/9/2004 16.80 6,450 2002-2014 1/13 10/4/2015 16.81 6,530 10.0

10 02131000 PEE DEE RIVER AT 

PEEDEE, SC

8,830 9/22/1945 33.30 220,000 1939-2014 55/76 10/8/2015 22.81 30,100 19.0 Regulated

11 02131010 PEE DEE RIVER BELOW 

PEE DEE, SC

8,850 4/16/2003 33.96 99,000 1997-2014 11/18 10/9/2015 29.28 28,100 --- Regulated

12 02131500 LYNCHES RIVER NEAR 

BISHOPVILLE, SC

675 9/19/1945 22.35 29,400 1943-2014 38/72 10/6/2015 14.59 5,890 ---

13 02132000 LYNCHES RIVER AT 

EFFINGHAM, SC

1,030 9/22/1945 21.21 25,000 1908, 

1928-2014

3/88 10/6/2015 19.73 17,000 14.0 Annual maximum peak stage 

data contained in reports of the National Weather Service indicate the October 2015 peak is the third largest since 1892.

14 02135000 LITTLE PEE DEE RIVER AT 

GALIVANTS FERRY, SC

2,790 10/9/1964 13.01 27,600 1942-2014 53/74 10/11/2015 9.17 8,230 9.0
12 Preliminary Peak Stage and Streamflow Data at USGS Streamgaging Stations for the South Carolina Flood of October 2015 Table 1. Preliminary peak stage and streamflow data at selected streamgages in South Carolina for the flood of October 2015.—Continued [mi2, square miles; ft, feet; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; ---, data not available. Yellow shading indicates streamgages that recorded peaks of record for the October 2015 flood; green shading indicates streamgages that recorded peaks that ranked in the top 5 for the period of record; Period of record is given in water years, which is the period October 1–September 30 and is identified by the year in which the period ends; < in the Rank column indicates the peak flow for the October 2015 flood was less than the minimum annual peak flow of record] Map site number (fig. 6) Station number Station name Contribut- ing drain- age area (mi2

)

Flood data

National 

Weather 

Service 

flood 

stage 

(ft)

Remarks

Previous maximum streamflow

Beginning 

and ending 

water year 

for period of 

record

Flood of October 2015

Date of 

peak 

streamflow

Peak 

stage 

(ft)

Peak 

streamflow 

(ft3/s)

Rank / 

Number of 

annual 

peak 

streamflows in 

record

Date of 

peak 

streamflow

Peak 

stage 

(ft)

Peak 

streamflow 

(ft3/s)

15 02135200 PEE DEE RIVER AT HWY 

701 NEAR BUCKSPORT, SC

14,100 4/21/2003 19.54 86,800 2003-2013 3/11 10/10/2015 18.26 56,400 --- Regulated; tidally influenced

16 02136000 BLACK RIVER AT KINGSTREE, SC 1,252 6/14/1973 19.77 58,000 1928-2014 1/87 10/6/2015 22.65 83,700 12.0 Annual maximum peak stage data contained in reports of the National 

Weather Service indicate the October 2015 peak is the largest since 1893.

17 02136361 TURKEY CREEK NEAR 

MARYVILLE, SC

4.25 8/27/1995 4.56 --- 1994-2014 1/21 10/4/2015 5.54 516 --- Rank based on stage due to undetermined annual peak streamflow 

for maximum annual peak stage of record.

Catawba-Santee River Basin

18 02146000 CATAWBA RIVER NEAR 

ROCK HILL, SC

3,050 5/23/1901 24.15 151,000 1896-1903, 

1942-2014

</81 10/3/2015 4.70 3,870 --- Regulated. Peak streamflow on 

10/3/2015 was less than the minimum annual peak from period of record.

19 02146800 SUGAR CREEK NEAR 

FORT MILL, SC

262 8/27/2008 27.30 --- 2007-2014 6/8 10/3/2015 18.74 7,660 --- Rank based on stage due to undetermined annual peak streamflow 

for maximum annual peak stage of record.

20 02147020 CATAWBA RIVER BELOW 

CATAWBA, SC

3,540 4/11/2003 22.69 54,700 1993-2014 </22 10/3/2015 9.74 10,700 --- Regulated. Peak streamflow on 

10/3/2015 was less than the minimum annual peak from period of record. Maximum peak stage known since June 1906, 40.4 ft on 7/16/1916 at site and datum then in use, from records furnished by the National Weather Service.

21 021473426 TOOLS FORK CREEK 

NEAR ROCK HILL, SC

9.60 8/26/2008 10.85 --- 1999-2014 </10 10/3/2015 4.21 68 --- Peak stage on 10/3/2015 was less 

than the minimum annual peak from period of record. Annual peak streamflow of record was undetermined for peak stage of record.

22 021473428 WILDCAT CREEK BELOW 

ROCK HILL, SC

29.7 3/21/2003 18.61 --- 1999-2014 </15 10/3/2015 4.58 270 9.0 Peak stage on 10/3/2015 was less 

than the minimum annual peak from period of record. Annual peak streamflow of record was undetermined for peak stage of record.
Tables 13

Table 1. Preliminary peak stage and streamflow data at selected streamgages in South Carolina for the flood of October 2015.—Continued[mi2, square miles; ft, feet; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; ---, data not available. Yellow shading indicates streamgages that recorded peaks of record for the October 2015 flood; green shading indicates streamgages that recorded peaks that ranked in the top 5 for the period of record; Period of record is given in water years, which is the period October 1–September 30 and is identified by the year in which the period ends; < in the Rank column indicates the peak flow for the October 2015 flood was less than the minimum annual peak flow of record]

Map 

site 

number 

(fig. 6)

Station 

number Station name

Contributing drainage area 

(mi2)

Flood data

National 

Weather 

Service 

flood 

stage 

(ft)

Remarks

Previous maximum streamflow

Beginning 

and ending 

water year 

for period of 

record

Flood of October 2015

Date of 

peak 

streamflow

Peak 

stage 

(ft)

Peak 

streamflow 

(ft3/s)

Rank / 

Number of 

annual 

peak 

streamflows in 

record

Date of 

peak 

streamflow

Peak 

stage 

(ft)

Peak 

streamflow 

(ft3/s)

23 02147500 ROCKY CREEK AT GREAT 

FALLS, SC

194 8/23/1967 18.82 31,300 1952-2014 55/58 10/4/2015 7.10 2,090 ---

24 02148000 WATEREE RIVER NEAR 

CAMDEN, SC

5,070 7/18/1916 40.40 400,000 1905-1910, 

1916, 

1930-2014

31/124 10/4/2015 29.31 50,900 27.0 Regulated since 1919

25 02153200 BROAD RIVER NEAR 

BLACKSBURG, SC

1,290 9/8/2004 21.92 --- 1998-2014 14/17 10/4/2015 8.57 9,650 16.0 Rank based on stage due to undetermined annual peak streamflow 

for maximum annual peak stage of record.

26 02153500 BROAD RIVER NEAR 

GAFFNEY, SC

1,490 8/14/1940 19.78 119,000 1939-1978, 

1980-1990, 

2011-2014

54/58 10/4/2015 9.33 10,000 16.0

27 02153551 BROAD RIVER BELOW 

NINETYNINE ISLAND RESERVOIR,SC

1,550 9/9/2004 40.43 --- 1999-2014 </16 10/4/2015 29.14 10,300 45.0 Peak stage on 10/3/2015 was less 

than the minimum annual peak from period of record. Peak streamflow for peak stage of record was undetermined.

28 02153700 THICKETTY CREEK AT 

COUNTY ROAD 42 NEAR GAFFNEY, SC

25.0 8/1/2014 8.86 --- 2007-2014 </8 10/3/2015 4.05 98 --- Peak stage on 10/3/2015 was less 

than the minimum annual peak from period of record. Peak streamflow for peak stage of record was undetermined.

29 02154500 NORTH PACOLET RIVER 

AT FINGERVILLE, SC

116 8/14/1940 27.13 12,500 1931-2014 61/84 10/3/2015 8.42 1,910 ---

30 02154790 SOUTH PACOLET RIVER 

NR CAMPOBELLO, SC

55.4 8/27/1995 11.33 5,170 1989-2014 14/26 10/3/2015 8.85 1,750 ---

31 02155500 PACOLET RIVER NEAR 

FINGERVILLE, SC

212 8/14/1940 22.43 22,800 1931-2014 41/83 10/3/2015 10.83 4,630 --- Flood of June 1903 reached a stage of 

46 ft, from floodmark (streamflow not determined).

32 021556525 PACOLET RIVER BELOW 

LAKE BLALOCK NEAR COWPENS, SC

273 8/28/1995 17.10 22,900 1995-2014 12/20 10/3/2015 7.82 4,650 --- Regulated. Previous maximum peak 

stage of 17.10 ft also occurred on 5/23/2003.

33 02156300 LAWSONS FORK CREEK 

AT SPARTANBURG SC

74.7 10/12/1990 18.65 --- 1967-1970, 

1976-1993, 

2013-2014

8/23 10/1/2015 13.76 2,980 --- Rank based on stage due to undetermined annual peak streamflow 

for maximum annual peak stage of record. Only peak stage available for 1976–1993 and 2013.
14 Preliminary Peak Stage and Streamflow Data at USGS Streamgaging Stations for the South Carolina Flood of October 2015 Table 1. Preliminary peak stage and streamflow data at selected streamgages in South Carolina for the flood of October 2015.—Continued [mi2, square miles; ft, feet; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; ---, data not available. Yellow shading indicates streamgages that recorded peaks of record for the October 2015 flood; green shading indicates streamgages that recorded peaks that ranked in the top 5 for the period of record; Period of record is given in water years, which is the period October 1–September 30 and is identified by the year in which the period ends; < in the Rank column indicates the peak flow for the October 2015 flood was less than the minimum annual peak flow of record] Map site number (fig. 6) Station number Station name Contribut- ing drain- age area (mi2

)

Flood data

National 

Weather 

Service 

flood 

stage 

(ft)

Remarks

Previous maximum streamflow

Beginning 

and ending 

water year 

for period of 

record

Flood of October 2015

Date of 

peak 

streamflow

Peak 

stage 

(ft)

Peak 

streamflow 

(ft3/s)

Rank / 

Number of 

annual 

peak 

streamflows in 

record

Date of 

peak 

streamflow

Peak 

stage 

(ft)

Peak 

streamflow 

(ft3/s)

34 02156500 BROAD RIVER NEAR 

CARLISLE, SC

2,790 10/10/1976 31.51 123,000 1939-2014 68/75 10/4/2015 12.20 21,800 30.0

35 02157470 MIDDLE TYGER RIVER 

NEAR GRAMLING, SC

34.7 1/25/2010 11.03 3,160 2003-2014 </12 10/4/2015 9.22 492 10.5 Peak streamflow on 10/4/2015 was 

less than the minimum annual peak from period of record.

36 02157510 MIDDLE TYGER RIVER 

NEAR LYMAN, SC

69.0 7/8/2005 8.12 --- 2000-2014 11/15 10/4/2015 4.24 888 24.0 Rank based on stage due to undetermined annual peak streamflow 

for maximum annual peak stage of record. 

37 02158408 SOUTH TYGER RIVER 

BELOW DUNCAN, SC

94.4 7/7/2005 16.68 5,360 2003-2014 9/13 10/4/2015 10.19 1,710 17.0 For previous maximum annual peak 

stage on 7/7/2005, the annual peak streamflow was greater than the indicated value.

38 02160105 TYGER RIVER NEAR 

DELTA, SC

759 10/11/1976 26.31 37,500 1974-2014 20/41 10/5/2015 16.76 9,800 ---

39 02160325 BRUSHY CREEK NEAR 

GREENVILLE, SC

9.05 8/27/1995 14.10 --- 1986-2014 16/28 10/3/2015 8.43 982 10.0 Rank based on stage due to undetermined annual peak streamflow 

for maximum annual peak stage of record.

40 02160326 ENOREE RIVER AT 

PELHAM, SC

84.2 8/27/1995 22.98 11,300 1994-2014 11/21 10/4/2015 11.02 2,490 11.0

41 02160381 DURBIN CREEK ABOVE 

FOUNTAIN INN, SC

14.0 8/27/1999 14.58 --- 1995-2014 4/20 10/4/2015 8.54 1,570 --- Rank based on stage due to undetermined annual peak streamflow 

for maximum annual peak stage of record.

42 02160390 ENOREE RIVER NEAR 

WOODRUFF, SC

249 8/27/1995 29.9 52,200 1994-2014 3/21 10/4/2015 16.45 8,160 ---

43 02160700 ENOREE RIVER AT WHITMIRE, SC 444 8/28/1995 37.32 31,200 1974-2014 3/41 10/5/2015 29.08 18,400 25.044 02161000 BROAD RIVER AT 

ALSTON, SC

4,790 6/7/1903 29.02 140,000 1897-1907, 

1981-2014

13/45 10/4/2015 22.16 73,200 20.0

45 02162093 SMITH BRANCH AT 

NORTH MAIN ST AT COLUMBIA, SC

5.67 7/21/2013 15.12 3,820 1977-2014 1/38 10/4/2015 18.87 --- 9.0 The peak stage for 10/4/2015 was 

determined from high-water marks because the gage structure or equipment was damaged by flood waters. The 10/4/2015 maximum peak streamflow exceeded 4,180 ft3/s (for 

stage of 16.00 ft), which is the upper limit of the current rating curve.
Tables 15

Table 1. Preliminary peak stage and streamflow data at selected streamgages in South Carolina for the flood of October 2015.—Continued[mi2, square miles; ft, feet; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; ---, data not available. Yellow shading indicates streamgages that recorded peaks of record for the October 2015 flood; green shading indicates streamgages that recorded peaks that ranked in the top 5 for the period of record; Period of record is given in water years, which is the period October 1–September 30 and is identified by the year in which the period ends; < in the Rank column indicates the peak flow for the October 2015 flood was less than the minimum annual peak flow of record]

Map 

site 

number 

(fig. 6)

Station 

number Station name

Contributing drainage area 

(mi2)

Flood data

National 

Weather 

Service 

flood 

stage 

(ft)

Remarks

Previous maximum streamflow

Beginning 

and ending 

water year 

for period of 

record

Flood of October 2015

Date of 

peak 

streamflow

Peak 

stage 

(ft)

Peak 

streamflow 

(ft3/s)

Rank / 

Number of 

annual 

peak 

streamflows in 

record

Date of 

peak 

streamflow

Peak 

stage 

(ft)

Peak 

streamflow 

(ft3/s)

46 02162290 SOUTH SALUDA RIVER 

NEAR CLEVELAND, SC

17.8 9/8/2004 9.58 3,720 2000-2005, 

2013-2014

6/8 10/3/2015 3.10 86 9.0

47 02162350 MIDDLE SALUDA RIVER 

NEAR CLEVELAND, SC

21.0 6/11/1986 11.21 5,190 1981-2014 31/32 10/3/2015 3.58 359 ---

48 02162500 SALUDA RIVER NEAR 

GREENVILLE, SC

298 10/7/1949 19.38 11,000 1942-2014 69/71 10/4/2015 4.69 1,660 9.5

49 02163001 SALUDA RIVER NEAR 

WILLIAMSTON, SC

414 9/8/2004 14.12 12,410 1996-2014 12/19 10/4/2015 9.72 5,220 22.0

50 02163500 SALUDA RIVER NEAR 

WARE SHOALS, SC

580 8/27/1995 22.95 20,900 1939-2014 20/76 10/4/2015 17.38 11,800 42.0

51 02164000 REEDY RIVER NEAR 

GREENVILLE, SC

48.6 7/29/2004 11.21 5,830 1942-2014 31/63 10/4/2015 7.40 2,430 12.0

52 02164110 REEDY RIVER ABOVE 

FORK SHOALS, SC

110 8/27/1995 21.77 8,200 1994-2014 2/21 10/4/2015 18.05 7,290 20.0

53 021650905 REEDY RIVER NEAR 

WATERLOO, SC

251 1/26/2010 15.56 4,560 2005-2014 1/10 10/4/2015 17.29 6,160 30.0

54 02165200 SOUTH RABON CREEK 

NEAR GRAY COURT, SC

29.5 9/14/1973 9.86 4,100 1968-1981, 

1991-2014

5/38 10/4/2015 6.29 1,830 ---

55 021652801 NORTH RABON CREEK 

NEAR HICKORY TAVERN, SC

36.9 1/25/2010 10.34 --- 2009-2014 1/6 10/4/2015 11.02 --- --- Rank based on stage due to undetermined annual peak streamflow for 

previous maximum annual peak stage of record. The 10/4/2015 maximum peak streamflow exceeded 1,060 ft3/s (for stage of 

9.62 ft), which is the upper limit of the current rating curve. 

56 02166501 LAKE GREENWOOD 

TAILRACE NEAR CHAPPELLS, SC

1,170 2/5/1998 28.46 18,400 1997-2014 1/18 10/4/2015 31.79 21,800 --- Regulated

57 02167000 SALUDA RIVER AT 

CHAPPELLS, SC

1,360 10/2/1929 31.50 63,700 1927-2014 8/110 10/5/2015 26.49 34,800 14.0 Regulated since 1940. The flood of 

8/26/1908 reached a stage of 36.7 ft (present site and datum), from reports of National Weather Service.

58 02167450 LITTLE RIVER NEAR 

SILVERSTREET, SC

230 4/19/2003 15.73 8,760 1991-2014 1/24 10/5/2015 18.46 14,800 11.0

59 02167582 BUSH RIVER NEAR 

PROSPERITY, SC

115 1/15/1995 16.06 5,570 1991-2014 1/24 10/4/2015 19.74 10,000 11.0
16 Preliminary Peak Stage and Streamflow Data at USGS Streamgaging Stations for the South Carolina Flood of October 2015 Table 1. Preliminary peak stage and streamflow data at selected streamgages in South Carolina for the flood of October 2015.—Continued [mi2, square miles; ft, feet; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; ---, data not available. Yellow shading indicates streamgages that recorded peaks of record for the October 2015 flood; green shading indicates streamgages that recorded peaks that ranked in the top 5 for the period of record; Period of record is given in water years, which is the period October 1–September 30 and is identified by the year in which the period ends; < in the Rank column indicates the peak flow for the October 2015 flood was less than the minimum annual peak flow of record] Map site number (fig. 6) Station number Station name Contribut- ing drain- age area (mi2

)

Flood data

National 

Weather 

Service 

flood 

stage 

(ft)

Remarks

Previous maximum streamflow

Beginning 

and ending 

water year 

for period of 

record

Flood of October 2015

Date of 

peak 

streamflow

Peak 

stage 

(ft)

Peak 

streamflow 

(ft3/s)

Rank / 

Number of 

annual 

peak 

streamflows in 

record

Date of 

peak 

streamflow

Peak 

stage 

(ft)

Peak 

streamflow 

(ft3/s)

60 02168504 SALUDA RIVER BELOW 

LAKE MURRAY DAM NEAR COLUMBIA, SC

2,420 3/9/1996 15.88 22,100 1989-2014 1/26 10/4/2015 27.5 --- --- Regulated. The peak stage for 

10/4/2015 was determined from high-water marks because the gage structure or equipment was damaged by flood waters. The 10/4/2015 maximum peak streamflow exceeded 19,000 ft3/s (for stage of 

16.35 ft), which is the upper limit of the current rating curve. The rank is based on the peak stage on 10/4/2015.

61 02169000 SALUDA RIVER NEAR 

COLUMBIA, SC

2,520 10/2/1929 15.22 67,000 1926-2014 ---/89 10/4/2015 14.26 --- --- Regulated since 1930. The peak stage 

for 10/4/2015 was determined from high-water marks because the gage structure or equipment was damaged by flood waters. The 10/4/2015 maximum peak streamflow exceeded 58,000 ft3/s (for stage of 14.00 ft), which is the upper limit of the current rating curve.

62 02169500 CONGAREE RIVER AT 

COLUMBIA, SC

7,850 8/27/1908 39.80 364,000 1900-2014 8/123 10/4/2015 31.81 185,000 19.0 Regulation from the Saluda River 

since 1929.

63 02169570 GILLS CREEK AT 

COLUMBIA, SC

59.6 2/24/1979 8.66 2,880 1965-2014 1/50 10/4/2015 19.6 --- 6.7 The peak stage for 10/4/2015 was 

determined from high-water marks because the gage structure or equipment was damaged by flood waters. The 10/4/2015 maximum peak streamflow exceeded 2,380 ft3/s (for stage of 9.11 ft), which is the upper limit of the current rating curve. The rank is based on the peak stage on 10/6/2015.

64 02171500 SANTEE RIVER NEAR 

PINEVILLE, SC

14,700 9/23/1945 31.10 155,000 1943-2013 11/71 10/8/2015 27.98 83,400 --- Regulated

65 02171645 REDIVERSION CANAL AT 

SANTEE RIVER NEAR ST STEPHEN, SC

14,800 11/17/1989 28.00 31,200 1987-2014 4/28 10/11/2015 28.60 28,000 --- Regulated. Previous maximum 

streamflow is a maximum daily average. For flood of October 2015, peak stage was 29.6 ft and occurred on 10/10/2015.
Tables 17

Table 1. Preliminary peak stage and streamflow data at selected streamgages in South Carolina for the flood of October 2015.—Continued[mi2, square miles; ft, feet; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; ---, data not available. Yellow shading indicates streamgages that recorded peaks of record for the October 2015 flood; green shading indicates streamgages that recorded peaks that ranked in the top 5 for the period of record; Period of record is given in water years, which is the period October 1–September 30 and is identified by the year in which the period ends; < in the Rank column indicates the peak flow for the October 2015 flood was less than the minimum annual peak flow of record]

Map 

site 

number 

(fig. 6)

Station 

number Station name

Contributing drainage area 

(mi2)

Flood data

National 

Weather 

Service 

flood 

stage 

(ft)

Remarks

Previous maximum streamflow

Beginning 

and ending 

water year 

for period of 

record

Flood of October 2015

Date of 

peak 

streamflow

Peak 

stage 

(ft)

Peak 

streamflow 

(ft3/s)

Rank / 

Number of 

annual 

peak 

streamflows in 

record

Date of 

peak 

streamflow

Peak 

stage 

(ft)

Peak 

streamflow 

(ft3/s)

66 02171700 SANTEE RIVER NEAR 

JAMESTOWN, SC

10,750 3/28/2003 22.84 102,000 1987-2000, 

2002-2014

2/27 10/10/2015 22.13 96,600 10.0 Regulated. Tidally influenced, which 

is overcome by basin runoff at high flows.

67 02172002 LAKE MOULTRIE 

TAILRACE CANAL AT MONCKS CORNER, SC

14,800 2/27/2003 10.40 27,100 1986-1990, 

2002-2014

12/18 10/4/2015 13.24 16,500 --- Regulated

68 02172035 TURKEY CREEK ABOVE 

HUGER, SC

22.7 10/25/2008 9.52 1,410 2006-2014 1/9 10/4/2015 13.4 --- --- The peak stage for 10/4/2015 was 

determined from high-water marks because the gage structure or equipment was damaged by flood waters. The 10/4/2015 maximum peak streamflow exceeded 1,910 ft3/s (for 

stage of 10.00 ft), which is the upper limit of the current rating curve. The rank is based on the peak stage for 10/4/2015.

Ashepoo-Combahee-Edisto River Basin

69 02172300 MCTIER CREEK (RD 209) 

NEAR MONETTA, SC

15.6 3/7/1996 7.48 536 1996-1997, 

2002-2014

1/15 10/4/2015 6.98 782 13.0

70 02173000 SOUTH FORK EDISTO 

RIVER NEAR DENMARK, SC

720 Oct. 1929 11.7 17,100 1930, 

1932-1979, 

1981-2014

49/83 10/8/2015 7.94 2,110 11.0

71 02173030 SOUTH FORK EDISTO 

RIVER NEAR COPE, SC

757 5/8/1998 10.86 7,610 1992-2014 4/23 10/6/2015 10.27 3,880 ---

72 02173051 SOUTH FORK EDISTO 

RIVER NEAR BAMBERG, SC

807 5/9/1998 13.71 8,640 1992-2014 4/23 10/6/2015 12.35 4,770 16.0

73 02173212 CEDAR CREEK NEAR 

THOR, SC

44.1 12/25/2009 4.78 --- 2009-2014 1/5 10/4/2015 7.15 193 10.0 Rank based on stage due to undetermined annual peak streamflow for 

previous maximum annual peak stage of record.

74 02173500 NORTH FORK EDISTO 

RIVER AT ORANGEBURG, SC

683 Sept. 1928 14.7 10,000 1928, 

1939-1988, 

1990-2014

3/77 10/5/2015 13.64 8,640 8.0

75 02175000 EDISTO RIVER NEAR 

GIVHANS, SC

2,730 Feb. 1925 17.5 24,900 1925, 1928, 

1939-2014

1/81 10/8/2015 16.06 25,600 10.0

76 02175500 SALKEHATCHIE RIVER 

NEAR MILEY, SC

341 10/9/1992 5.79 4,360 1952-2014 7/63 10/7/2015 5.31 2,920 ---
18 Preliminary Peak Stage and Streamflow Data at USGS Streamgaging Stations for the South Carolina Flood of October 2015 Table 1. Preliminary peak stage and streamflow data at selected streamgages in South Carolina for the flood of October 2015.—Continued [mi2, square miles; ft, feet; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; ---, data not available. Yellow shading indicates streamgages that recorded peaks of record for the October 2015 flood; green shading indicates streamgages that recorded peaks that ranked in the top 5 for the period of record; Period of record is given in water years, which is the period October 1–September 30 and is identified by the year in which the period ends; < in the Rank column indicates the peak flow for the October 2015 flood was less than the minimum annual peak flow of record] Map site number (fig. 6) Station number Station name Contribut- ing drain- age area (mi2

)

Flood data

National 

Weather 

Service 

flood 

stage 

(ft)

Remarks

Previous maximum streamflow

Beginning 

and ending 

water year 

for period of 

record

Flood of October 2015

Date of 

peak 

streamflow

Peak 

stage 

(ft)

Peak 

streamflow 

(ft3/s)

Rank / 

Number of 

annual 

peak 

streamflows in 

record

Date of 

peak 

streamflow

Peak 

stage 

(ft)

Peak 

streamflow 

(ft3/s)

77 02176500 COOSAWHATCHIE RIVER 

NEAR HAMPTON, SC

203 10/10/1992 7.92 8,910 1952-2014 63/63 10/6/2015 6.50 267 ---

Savannah River Basin

78 02177000 CHATTOOGA RIVER NEAR 

CLAYTON, GA

207 9/17/2004 11.21 33,300 1915, 

1917-1929, 

1940-2014

88/89 10/4/2015 3.70 3,000 15.0

79 02186000 TWELVEMILE CREEK 

NEAR LIBERTY, SC

106 6/27/2006 14.78 8,260 1955-1964, 

1990-2014

29/35 10/4/2015 6.84 1,900 10.0

80 02187910 ROCKY RIVER NEAR 

STARR, SC

111 4/18/1998 17.70 6,260 1989-2014 14/25 10/5/2015 11.45 1,560 ---

81 02192500 LITTLE RIVER NEAR MT. 

CARMEL, SC

217 8/14/1940 29.60 20,800 1940-2014 8/75 10/5/2015 22.73 9,040 ---

82 02196000 STEVENS CREEK NEAR 

MODOC, SC

545 8/14/1940 41.08 35,100 1931, 1940-

1978, 

1984-2014

18/71 10/5/2015 30.44 17,100 19.0

83 02196690 HORSE CREEK AT CLEARWATER, SC 155 6/3/2013 15.85 --- 2006-2014 </9 10/5/2015 12.73 429 17.0 Peak stage on 10/5/2015 was less than the minimum annual peak from 

period of record. Peak streamflow was undetermined for peak stage of record.

84 02197000 SAVANNAH RIVER AT 

AUGUSTA, GA

7,510 10/2/1929 45.10 350,000 1796, 1840, 

1852, 

1864-1865, 

1875-2014

134/144 10/6/2015 110.82 21,000 117.5 Regulated since 1953

85 02197500 SAVANNAH RIVER AT 

BURTONS FERRY BRIDGE NEAR MILLHAVEN, GA

8,650 Oct. 1929 30.80 220,000 1929, 

1940-1970, 

1983-2014

57/63 10/8/2015 12.19 14,300 15.0 Regulated since 1953

86 02198500 SAVANNAH RIVER NEAR 

CLYO, GA

9,850 10/6/1929 29.70 270,000 1925-2014 87/90 10/10/2015 9.55 12,500 11.0 Regulated since 1953
Tables 19

Table 2. Chronology of major and other memorable floods in South Carolina since 1893.

[From U.S. Geological Survey, 1985; http://sc.water.usgs.gov/publications/pdf/SCFloodsandDroughts1893-2002.pdf; 

http://www.dnr.sc.gov/climate/sco/Tropics/hurricane_tracks_affecting_sc.php. mph, miles per hour]

Date Area affected Remarks

Aug. 27, 1893 Southern coast of South Carolina North-northeast through South Carolina Midlands. Winds 96–120 mph; tremendous storm surge; major damage; moved north near Columbia, then 

northeast. Deaths, 2,000; damage, $10 million.

June 1903 Santee River Basin Deaths, 50; damage, $3.5 million.

Aug. 26–30, 1908 Statewide Most extensive flood in State; rainfall, 12 inches in 24 hours at Anderson.

July 18, 1916 Eastern two-thirds of State Record rainfall, 13 inches in 24 hours at Effingham; damage, 

$10–11 million.

Aug. 15–17, 1928 Statewide Bridges destroyed, roads and railways impassable.

Sept. 21–24, 1928 Lower Pee Dee River Basin and southern 

South Carolina

Flooding was severe. Rainfall 10–12 inches. Deaths, 5; damage, 

$4–6 million.

Oct. 2, 1929 Savannah and Santee River Basins Entered Aiken as extratropical storm; intense rains on saturated soil caused 

severe flooding.

Aug. 11–19, 1940 Statewide Hurricane related flooding. Deaths, about 34; property and crop damage, 

$10 million.

Sept. 17–23, 1945 Statewide Hurricane related, severe flooding. Deaths, 1; damage, $6–7 million.

Oct. 15, 1954 Lower Pee Dee River Basin Hurricane Hazel. One of most severe storms in State to date. Storm surge, 

16.9 feet; western half of State having drought. Deaths, 1; damage, 

$27 million.

Sept. 29–30, 1959 Eastern, southern, and central South Carolina Hurricane Gracie. Winds 140 mph at landfall. Six foot storm surge. Rainfall, 6–8 inches. Deaths, 7; Excessive property damage along the coast as 

well as heavy crop damage, $20 million.

Nov. 1, 1969 Coastal, northwest corner of the State Rainfall, 13.6 inches on Edisto Island. Deaths, 1; flood damage to homes.

Sept. 14, 1973 Northwestern South Carolina, Savannah and 

Santee River Basins

Major flash flood in Laurens. Saluda River at Ware Shoals had highest crest 

since 1929 flood. Damage, $4–6 million.

Aug. 19, 1981 Lower Pee Dee River Basin Hurricane Dennis, greater than 6 inches of rain caused significant flood 

damage in low-lying areas. Greatest flood on upper Waccamaw River 

since 1945.

Sept. 21, 1989 Eastern two-thirds of State Hurricane Hugo made landfall at Isle of Palms, S.C. Winds 140 mph. 

Gusts 160 mph. Costliest storm in South Carolina’s history. Deaths, 35; 

damage, more than $6 billion. Storm surge over 20 feet. Severe inland 

damage as winds gusted to 109 mph at Sumter, S.C.

Oct. 10–12, 1990 Central South Carolina The remnants from tropical storms Klaus and Marco caused heavy rains 

and flooding; 10–11 inches rain reported in Spartanburg County; 120 

dams failed statewide; 80 bridge failures. Deaths, 5.

Oct. 8–9, 1992 Southern South Carolina Rainfall, 9 inches in 24 hours. Bridge failures; homes damaged; 90-car 

train derailed.

Aug. 25–29, 1995 Northwestern Piedmont South Carolina Tropical Storm Jerry tracked through the upstate of South Carolina, causing 

flash floods and dumping 8–10 inches of rain in about an 8-hour period. 

Some rain totals exceeded 20 inches. Several large dams broke causing 

flooding across the State. Estimated $4–5 million worth of damage to 

roads and bridges.

Sept. 16, 1999 Waccamaw and Lower Pee Dee River Basins Hurricane Floyd: Rainfall was heavy along coastal counties; 12 inches in 

Georgetown County; 18 inches in eastern Horry County. The heavy rains 

caused flooding to many roads and buildings. Waves were reported to be 

15 feet at the pier at Cherry Grove where damage was the greatest.

Manuscript was approved for publication on October 16, 2015.

For more information concerning this publication contact

Toby Feaster

South Atlantic Water Science Center

U.S. Geological Survey

720 Gracern Road

Stephenson Center, Suite 129

Columbia, SC 29210

(803) 750-6100

Or visit the South Atlantic Water Science Center Web site at

http://sc.water.usgs.gov

Prepared by the USGS Science Publishing Network, 

Raleigh Publishing Service Center
Feaster and others––Preliminary Peak Stage and Streamflow Data at Selected USGS Streamgaging Stations for the South Carolina Flood of October 2015––Open-File Report 2015–1201, Ver. 1.1

ISSN 2331-1258 (online) 

http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20151201