The lower Saluda River from the Saluda Dam at Lake Murray down to Columbia is a beautiful and mostly undeveloped river. The waters, drawn from the bottom of Lake Murray, are clean and cold enough to support trout. Before using this river be aware that it has rapidly changing water levels, strong currents, cold water, and large rapids. Water flow conditions can change drastically within a couple of hours because of releases from the hydroelectric power facility at Lake Murray. The river water comes from deep within Lake Murray and the temperatures are cold, about 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Swimmers can experience hypothermia even in the summer.
Significant rapids begin downstream of the I-26 bridge. Mill Race Rapids should be portaged. Also, the Saluda Shoals Park, a 240-acre Regional park, will be developed just below the Bush River Road landing. Riverbanks Zoo and Botonical Garden, one of Amrerica's top zoos, is located along the Saluda River just 1.5 miles from downtown Columbia. A footbridge crosses the river between the zoo and the gardens on the West Columbia side of the river.