| The Catawba River flows through the Piedmont, Sandhills, and
Upper Coastal Plain regions of the State, and encompasses 2,322 square miles and
21 watersheds. These some 1.5 million acres consist of 69.7% forested land,
11.8% agricultural land, 7.3% scrub/shrub land, 3.9% forested wetland, 3.8%
urban land, 3.0% water, 0.4% barren land, and 0.1% nonforested wetland. There
are a total of 2,943 stream miles and 26,308 acres of lake waters in the basin.
(Source:
1989-90 SPOT Imagery)
The Catawba River enters the State of South Carolina
through Lake Wylie, which extends across the State boundary near Charlotte,
North Carolina. Allison Creek flows into the midlake region of Lake Wylie within
South Carolina. The Catawba River flows out of Lake Wylie and is joined by Sugar
Creek, Twelvemile Creek, and Cane Creek before draining into Fishing Creek
Reservoir. The Catawba River flows out of Fishing Creek Reservoir and joins with
Fishing Creek and flows into Great Falls Reservoir. The river then joins with
Camp Creek and Rocky Creek to form Cedar Creek Reservoir. Cedar Creek flows into
the Catawba River just below the Cedar Creek Reservoir dam. The Catawba River
joins Big Wateree Creek to form the Wateree River, which flows through Lake
Wateree. Grannies Quarter Creek and Sawneys Creek flow into the Wateree River
downstream of Lake Wateree. Twentyfive Mile Creek and Big Pine Tree Creek enter
the river near the City of Camden, followed by Swift Creek, Spears Creek, and
Colonels Creek before merging with the Congaree River Basin to form the Santee
River Basin.
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