Lynches River Subbasin

The following information was obtained at the official website of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

On March 24, 1994, Governor Carroll Campbell signed the Lynches River Scenic River bill officially designating the stretch between US 15 in Lee County and the eastern boundary of Lynches River County Park in Florence County as a State Scenic River. This 54-mile scenic section flows through four counties (Darlington, Florence, Lee and Sumter).

In October 1994, the Lynches River Advisory Council was formed to guide development and implementation of a long-term management plan for the river. Completed in August 1997, the Lynches Scenic River Management Plan presents the results of an intensive, two-year study of the river. Through this study, the advisory council identified several issues that will affect the future management of the river and proposed responsive, workable means to deal with those issues. At the same time, the advisory council looked for opportunities to protect the river and its resources through advocacy, cooperative efforts, education, research, and/or implementation of sound management practices. The study resulted in the development of 65 management recommendations. These recommendations form the core of the management plan.

The advisory council faced this challenging task to develop a plan that acknowledges and protects the unique and outstanding resources of the river while safeguarding the rights of private property owners. All of the plan's recommendations are guidelines or suggestions. They do not create any new regulations. Instead, the plan urges the river community to work together in a voluntary framework to protect the river. Participation in the plan's implementation is at the discretion of each individual, group, or governmental entity.

Since 1997, the advisory council has worked to implement the recommendations of the management plan. In addition, the advisory council acts as a community watchdog for issues that may affect the river. As Lynches River community members, the advisory council also acts as a steward and advocate of the river and spreads the word about the importance of this spectacular natural resource and its importance in the Pee Dee Region of South Carolina.

For more information, please go to the SC DNR website.