Waccamaw River - Lake Waccamaw Dam

Source Information

The Waccamaw Riverkeeper of Winyah Rivers Alliance partners with Coastal Carolina University's Waccamaw Watershed Academy to monitor water quality in the Waccamaw River Watershed. Monitoring is provided through a collaboration of the two programs to provide weekly sampling during the summer recreation season and sample twice monthly the rest of the year. Samples are collected on Wednesdays and results are posted once available. The Winyah Rivers Alliance Swim Guide Program uses the EPA water quality criteria for contact recreation for E. coli. Waters are considered healthy when E. coli concentrations are less than 235 MPN/100 mL in freshwater. E. coli is a fecal indicator bacteria used to identify potential health risks for people using the waters for recreation. Sites are marked green when the last sample was below the criteria of 235 MPN/100 mL. Sites are marked red when the last sample was above the criteria of 235 MPN/100 mL. Sites are marked grey when there are no current results or available information. The data published here provides a general guide to the health of the Waccamaw River and does not guarantee it is safe for swimming at all times. While E. coli levels in the Waccamaw River are overall low, E. coli levels can change at any time and frequently increase after rain events.