“S” is for Savannah River

“S” is for Savannah River. The headwaters of the Savannah River originate in the mountains near the border where the states of South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina meet. The 314-mile long river is formed by the confluence of the Tugaloo and Seneca Rivers and along with the lower sections of the Tugaloo, the Savannah forms the western boundary between South Carolina and Georgia. The Savannah drains a basin of 10,577 square miles, 4,581 being in South Carolina. Until the turn of the twentieth century, the river served as a major transportation route to the coast. Hydroelectric dams built to harness the power of the river have resulted in significant geographic changes including the creation of three lakes. In South Carolina the Savannah River serves as the water source for Hilton Head, Beaufort, and smaller communities.