Congaree River at Columbia
Flood levels
Official flood levels at this gauge: action stage begins at 10.0 ft; minor flooding begins at 19.0 ft; moderate flooding begins at 24.0 ft; major flooding begins at 30.0 ft.
| Action stage | 10.0 ft |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 19.0 ft |
| Moderate flooding | 24.0 ft |
| Major flooding | 30.0 ft |
Highest recorded crests
- 39.8 ft on Aug 27, 1908 (historic crest)
- 35.5 ft on Jul 17, 1916 (historic crest)
- 33.5 ft on Aug 18, 1928 (historic crest)
- 33.3 ft on Apr 8, 1936 (historic crest)
What the water does
National Weather Service impact statements for this gauge, in the Weather Service's own words.
| 8.0 ft | The lowest parts of the West Columbia and Cayce Riverwalks begin to flood. |
|---|---|
| 10.0 ft | Extensive flooding along the West Columbia and Cayce Riverwalks. |
| 14.0 ft | Most of the Cayce and West Columbia Riverwalks are flooded. Some farmland downstream from Columbia floods. |
| 19.0 ft | Water covers the bottom of West Columbia Amphitheater. Extensive swampland and large areas of farm and pasture land downstream from Columbia are flooded. |
| 21.0 ft | Granby Landing Boat Ramp is completely covered in water. |
| 24.0 ft | The end of Old State Rd and the Congaree Creek Heritage Preserve parking area are flooded. |
| 25.0 ft | A significant portion of the Cayce Phase 4 Riverwalk trails are flooded. |
| 27.0 ft | Most of the parking lot at Granby Boat Ramp is flooded. |
| 28.0 ft | Flooding begins along Riverside Ln, Sewanee Ave, and New State Rd in the Riverland Park neighborhood. |
| 29.0 ft | The lower parts of the Cayce Tennis Center parking lot begin to flood. |
| 30.0 ft | Most of Old State Rd is flooded. |
| 33.0 ft | Most of Riverland Park neighborhood is flooded and access on New State Rd is cut off. Water reaches the intersection of Fort Congaree Trail and Clovis Pointe Way. |
Forecast office: NWS West Columbia · River Forecast Center: Southeast River Forecast Center.
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Nearby stations and gauges
- Rocky Branch (SC) at Whaley Street NWS gauge · 1.3 mi
- Rocky Branch (SC) at Pickens Street NWS gauge · 1.5 mi
- Smith Branch (SC) at North Main St NWS gauge · 2.4 mi
- Saluda River near Riverbanks Zoo NWS gauge · 2.6 mi
- Broad River in NC/SC near Columbia NWS gauge · 4.0 mi
- Pen Branch at Brentwood Dr NWS gauge · 4.1 mi