River stage
Congaree National Park, Congaree River
- River level
- 16.27 ft
- Status
- Above minor flood stage
- 7-day change
- +13.90 ft
- Recent high
- 16.02 ft
- Recent low
- 1.88 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS GADS1
- 30-day change
- +13.69 ft
- Average
- 3.20 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 19.83 ft
In brief
The Congaree River at Congaree National Park, SC read 16.27 ft on Oct 13, 2026, above minor flood stage. That is 13.69 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge GADS1
At this level: Flooding begins in the Congaree National Park. This will begin to produce flooding of portions of the lower boardwalk.
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 19.83 ft | 2015-10-05 |
| 2 | 19.82 ft | 2024-10-01 |
| 3 | 19.54 ft | 2020-02-10 |
| 4 | 18.65 ft | 2003-03-23 |
| 5 | 18.51 ft | 2024-01-13 |
| 6 | 18.28 ft | 2016-01-01 |
| 7 | 18.27 ft | 1995-08-31 |
| 8 | 18.20 ft | 1998-02-06 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 15.00 ft
Flooding begins in the Congaree National Park. This will begin to produce flooding of portions of the lower boardwalk.
- 17.00 ft
The access road to the Sandy Run subdivision becomes flooded. The lower boardwalk in the Congaree National Park becomes flooded by Cedar Creek.
- 18.00 ft
Several homes in the Sandy Run subdivision along the river become flooded. At 18 feet the river covers the Weston Lake overlook in the Congaree National Park. Between 18 and 18.5 feet the river begins to cover sections of the elevated boardwalk.
- 20.00 ft
Farmland from Sandy Run to St. Matthews becomes flooded. Flooding increases in the Congaree National Park. At 19 feet the river covers most of the elevated boardwalk in the Congaree National Park.
- 22.00 ft
Extensive farmland from Sandy Run to St. Matthews becomes flooded. Farm equipment and cattle should be moved to higher ground. Extensive flooding also occurs in the Congaree National Park.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Congaree River flooding at Congaree National Park?
Yes. The Congaree River at Congaree National Park is at 16.27 ft, above its minor flood stage.
What is the flood stage at Congaree National Park?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 14 ft, minor flooding 15 ft, moderate flooding 18 ft and major flooding 20 ft.
What is the highest the Congaree River has been at Congaree National Park?
The highest crest on record is 19.83 ft, on 2015-10-05.
Is the Congaree River high or low right now at Congaree National Park?
At 16.27 ft it is higher than 100% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge GADS1); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 02169625). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.