Rivers in South Carolina
Saluda River at Chappells
Below flood stage
2.12ftStage
Observed Wed, Sep 23, 6:15 AM EDT
- Flood stage
- 14.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 1.70 ftWed, Sep 23, 8:00 AM EDT
- Record crest
- 36.70 ft1908
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 26.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 20.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 14.00 ft |
| Action | 13.00 ft |
- 26.00 ftFlood water threatens SC Highway 34 one mile southwest of Chappells and SC Highway 39 a quarter mile south of Chappells.
- 21.00 ftExtensive flooding occurs. Farmland and river bottomland around and downstream from Chappells become flooded. Much of the Saluda River Campground downstream from Chappells become flooded.
- 18.00 ftThe Saluda River Campground including the Campground Store downstream from Chappells becomes flooded. Campers should move to higher ground.
- 16.00 ftExtensive farmland and river bottomland around and downstream from Chappells become flooded.
- 14.00 ftLowlands around and downstream from Chappells become flooded. Cattle grazing river bottomland should be moved to higher ground.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 7% |
| Moderate flooding | Under 5% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 15, 2026.
Crest history
160 crests on NOAA’s list since 1888.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 26, 1908 | 36.70 ft |
| 2 | October 2, 1929 | 32.70 ft |
| 3 | September 28, 1929 | 32.20 ft |
| 4 | September 1, 1888 | 31.60 ft |
| 5 | August 17, 1928 | 31.10 ft |
| 6 | August 14, 1940 | 29.70 ft |
| 7 | August 28, 1995 | 27.22 ft |
| 8 | September 28, 2024 | 26.94 ft |
| 9 | October 5, 2015 | 26.49 ft |
| 10 | December 31, 2015 | 26.23 ft |
| 11 | March 16, 1912 | 25.00 ft |
| 12 | March 25, 1952 | 24.68 ft |
| 13 | February 8, 2020 | 24.43 ft |
| 14 | April 19, 1969 | 24.32 ft |
| 15 | February 19, 1990 | 23.08 ft |
| 16 | March 21, 2003 | 23.00 ft |
| 17 | February 5, 1998 | 22.96 ft |
| 18 | March 21, 2003 | 22.96 ft |
| 19 | February 20, 1990 | 22.93 ft |
| 20 | March 22, 1942 | 22.82 ft |
| 21 | March 13, 1963 | 22.78 ft |
| 22 | April 2, 1973 | 22.75 ft |
| 23 | October 28, 1918 | 22.60 ft |
| 24 | March 4, 1971 | 22.51 ft |
| 25 | February 11, 1921 | 22.50 ft |
Most recent crests
- August 5, 2025: 18.02 ft
- May 14, 2025: 18.82 ft
- February 15, 2025: 15.13 ft
- September 28, 2024: 26.94 ft
- March 11, 2024: 14.44 ft
- February 13, 2024: 11.76 ft
- January 11, 2024: 20.34 ft
- June 22, 2023: 19.02 ft
- April 29, 2023: 18.12 ft
- April 10, 2023: 15.24 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
What this means
Forecasts by the Southeast River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued routinely year-round. River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 48 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time. Gauge reading affected by reservoir operations.
Sources
Stage, flood stages, impacts and crest history from NOAA’s National Water Prediction Service. Streamflow and the daily record from the U.S. Geological Survey.