A number of these bays can be found across Clarendon County. With 15,095 acres, the Santee Wildlife Refuge was established in 1941. A hydroelectric reservoir borders on Lake Marion. More than 200 species of birds live or migrate through the refuge each year. Ducks and Canadian geese spend the winter there with January being their peak month.
Mammals living in the refuge include bobcat, deer, raccoon, squirrel, mink, otter, and fox.
Alligators can be found living in the marshes and swamps. Sport fishing is permitted year round in the refuge but there are certain areas that are closed from November 1 - February 28. August 25, 1780- Captain Joseph Roberts and his soldiers were camped at General Thomas Sumter's home near Nelson Ferry. Francis Marion and his men, after Gates' defeat at Camden, were burning boats up and down the Santee River in order to cut off connections between Camden and Charleston. From a deserter, Marion learned of Robert's camp.