River stage
Columbia, Congaree River
- River level
- 11.26 ft
- Status
- Above action stage
- 7-day change
- +8.49 ft
- Recent high
- 11.35 ft
- Recent low
- 2.57 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS COLS1
- 30-day change
- +8.51 ft
- Average
- 3.18 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 39.80 ft
In brief
The Congaree River at Columbia, SC read 11.26 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 7.74 ft below minor flood stage. That is 8.51 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge COLS1
At this level: Flooding occurs on parts of the Cayce and West Columbia Riverwalk.
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 39.80 ft | 1908-08-27 |
| 2 | 35.50 ft | 1916-07-17 |
| 3 | 33.50 ft | 1928-08-18 |
| 4 | 33.34 ft | 1936-04-08 |
| 5 | 33.10 ft | 1929-10-03 |
| 6 | 31.81 ft | 2015-10-04 |
| 7 | 30.70 ft | 1912-03-17 |
| 8 | 30.58 ft | 2024-09-30 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 6.50 ft
The lowest parts of the West Columbia Riverwalk between Gervais Street and SC 12 begin to flood.
- 10.00 ft
Flooding occurs on parts of the Cayce and West Columbia Riverwalk.
- 12.50 ft
Most of the West Columbia Riverwalk between Gervais Street and SC 12 is underwater.
- 14.00 ft
Roads in low lying areas and swampland downstream from Columbia become flooded. Most of the Cayce and West Columbia Riverwalk is flooded.
- 16.00 ft
Old State Road below Cayce becomes flooded.
- 18.50 ft
Water reaches the bottom of West Columbia Amphitheater.
- 19.00 ft
Extensive swampland and large areas of farmland and pasture land downstream from Columbia become flooded.
- 23.00 ft
Granby Landing Boat Ramp is completely covered in water.
- 24.00 ft
Flooding also occurs in the Cayce Quarry.
- 24.50 ft
The Cayce Riverwalk Phase 4 access on Fort Congaree Trail is flooded.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Congaree River flooding at Columbia?
No. The Congaree River at Columbia is at 11.26 ft, 7.74 ft below minor flood stage.
What is the flood stage at Columbia?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 10 ft, minor flooding 19 ft, moderate flooding 24 ft and major flooding 30 ft.
What is the highest the Congaree River has been at Columbia?
The highest crest on record is 39.8 ft, on 1908-08-27.
Is the Congaree River high or low right now at Columbia?
At 11.26 ft it is higher than 99% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge COLS1); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 02169500). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.