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The Combahee/Ashepoo/Broad River Basin
encompasses 14 watersheds and 2,241 square miles. The Combahee/Ashepoo/ Broad
River Basin flows through the Lower Coastal Plain and Coastal Zone regions. Of
the some 1.4 million acres, 38.4% is forested land, 18.6% is forested wetland
(swamp), 16.6% is water, 11.9% is agricultural land, 8.7% is nonforested wetland
(marsh), 3.5% is barren land, and 2.3% is urban land. The urban land percentage
is comprised chiefly of Hilton Head Island and the Beaufort area. There are
approximately 808 stream miles, 1,751 acres of lake waters, and 129,683 acres of
estuarine areas in this basin. (Source:
1989-90 SPOT Imagery)
The Combahee River is formed from the confluence of the
Salkehatchie and Little Salkehatchie River and flows into the Coosaw River. The
Coosaw River joins the Morgan River, the Harbor River, and the Ashepoo River to
form St. Helena Sound. The Ashepoo River originates near the City of Walterboro
and accepts drainage from Horseshoe Creek before flowing into St. Helena Sound.
The Coosawhatchie River originates near the Town of Allendale, and accepts
drainage from Black Creek (Lake George Warren) and Cypress Creek before merging
with the Pocotaligo River to form the Broad River. The Broad River joins the
Chechessee River and the Beaufort River to form Port Royal Sound. Calibogue
Sound accepts drainage from the May River, the Cooper River, and Broad Creek,
and is connected to Port Royal Sound via the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW).
The AIWW continues to connect the system to the New River (Great Swamp), the
Wright River, and the Savannah River, all draining into the Atlantic Ocean.
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