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Salkehatchie River

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SC Picture Project / Hampton County / Salkehatchie River

While these photos of the Salkehatchie (SAHL • kuh • HATCH • ee) River were captured near Yemassee, the blackwater river begins in Barnwell and winds through Bamberg, Allendale, Hampton, and Colleton counties before joining with the Little Salkehatchie River to form the majestic Combahee River. (Turkey Creek and the Whippy Swamp drain into the Salkehatchie River ahead of its confluence with the Little Salkehatchie.) The Combahee (KUM • bee) is among the three river systems that comprise the ACE Basin, one of the largest protected estuarine systems on the East Coast. It empties into the St. Helena Sound.

Salkehatchie River

Mills Morrison of Savannah, Georgia, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The clear, brown water of the Salkehatchie River receives its color not from sediment but from tannins that have leached into the water as vegetation decays in the slow-moving system. The tannins stain the water, much like tea leaves color water, allowing it to remain clear and clean but with a brown tint. Such rivers are called blackwater rivers, though the color of the water often appears more yellowish-brown.

Salkehatchie River Yemassee

Mills Morrison of Savannah, Georgia, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The Salkehatchie River was the site of a Civil War battle that took place in Bamberg County and is known as the Battle of River’s Bridge. As General Sherman marched his Union troops through South Carolina on his way to Columbia, Major General Lafeyette McLaws and around 1,200 of his Confederate forces positioned themselves to block the Salkehatchie River crossings on February 2, 1865. The Union troops instead built a bridge to cross the river and bypass the Confederates. The following day General Sherman’s men waded through the waters to access the Confederate troops’ flanks and rear, forcing them to retreat to Branchville.

Plan Your Trip: Salkehatchie River

Where is Salkehatchie River located?
Address: United States Highway 17, Yemassee, SC 29945
GPS Coordinates: 32.705729,-80.828823
What else should I see?
Yemassee Junction 2.7 miles
Pocotaligo River 7.8 miles
Frampton House 9.2 miles
Hobonny Plantation 9.5 miles
Show me more like this!
  • See other South Carolina Rivers
  • Yemassee Historic Sites
    Salkehatchie River Map

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    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

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    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

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