Major tributary streams in the upper Piedmont portion of the sub-basin include Fishing Creek, Rocky Creek, Big Wateree Creek and Wateree Creek, Sugar Creek, and Cane Creek. Twelvemile Creek, Cane Creek, Sugar Creek, and Waxhaw Creek. Stream flow at the main river stations has been subject to regulated releases for most of the period of record due to numerous hydroelectric power facilities located along the river in North and South Carolina. Controlled releases from the hydroelectric power plants located at Lake Wylie greatly affects streamflow of the Catawba. Streamflow on Sugar Creek near Fort Mill averaged 461 cfs over its monitoring period.
Tributary streams are largely unregulated.
The soil erodibilty refers to the properties of the soil itself, which cause it to erode more or less easily than others when all other factors are constant. In the Piedmont region, high relief and impermiable soils result in rapid runoff and limited ground water storage. The streams are characterized by highly variable flows dependent primarily on rainfall and runoff rather than discharge form ground water storage. This means that the water is suitable for industrial and agricultural uses, recreation, drinking water, after treatment, and for the survival and propagation of plants and animals. The classification standards are set for dissolved oxygen levels, coliform bacteria levels, water temperature and ph.