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South Carolina | York / Chester / Lancaster Counties
Catawba RiverFort Mill River Access to Rock Hill River Park
A popular Charlotte-area Catawba reach from the Fort Mill public ramp below Lake Wylie Dam to Rock Hill River Park.
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Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.
Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.
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Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
A popular Charlotte-area Catawba reach from the Fort Mill public ramp below Lake Wylie Dam to Rock Hill River Park.
Access map
Put-in
Fort Mill public landing below Lake Wylie DamMarkers identify named public access facilities and may represent access-area anchors rather than the exact waterline. At Fort Mill, SCDNR feature 739 identifies the public-access pier; follow the current ramp/carry path on site.
Take-out
River Park in Rock Hill (SCDNR paddle launch)Private banks and dam facilities are not assumed legal bailout or camping sites.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- Markers identify named public access facilities and may represent access-area anchors rather than the exact waterline. At Fort Mill, SCDNR feature 739 identifies the public-access pier; follow the current ramp/carry path on site.
- Private banks and dam facilities are not assumed legal bailout or camping sites.
- Recheck flow trend, release timing, weather, water quality and access status on launch day.
Watch for
- USGS discharge and Lake Wylie release changes
- Rocky shoals, strainers and bridge debris
- Cold water, wind and private frontage
Plan this paddle
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Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
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USGS measurements
More about this gauge
These measurements come from the gauge station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Catawba River at Rock Hill, SC. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Gauge detail
Water-level history and forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
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Gauge source
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Hourly forecast
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Short-route forecast
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Route gallery
Photos
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Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today’s call.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Catawba River at Rock Hill, SC |
| Discharge | Checking |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
| Water temp | Checking |
| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | 1,800 cfs to 3,000 cfs |
| Low threshold | 1,000 cfs |
| High threshold | 4,000 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Landsford Canal State Park flow and safety FAQ |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
NotesWhat to know before you go
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Named reach and distanceFort Mill River Access to Rock Hill River Park; 7 miles
SCDNR identifies the public access sequence and published river distances.
- Numeric scoring evidence1,000 cfs minimum; 1,800–3,000 cfs practical band; review above 4,000 cfs
Landsford Canal State Park publishes the practical downstream range and warns that higher releases increase difficulty; this band is a planning cue only.
- Fort Mill access coordinate review2026-09-17
SCDNR feature OBJECTID 739 identifies Fort Mill Access Pier as active and open on the Catawba River. The manager-published geometry is retained as a public-access-area point; it is not represented as survey-grade launch-edge precision. SCDNR separately describes the downstream Fort Mill public landing and boat ramp.
- Direct telemetryUSGS 02146000
Direct Catawba telemetry for the Catawba River at Rock Hill, SC corridor; pair with Duke release timing and visual checks.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
- SCDNR Catawba Scenic River access and safety
- Landsford Canal State Park flow and safety FAQ
- SCDNR Catawba canoe trail guide
- SCDNR Fort Mill Access Pier public-access feature (OBJECTID 739)
- City of Rock Hill River Park access
- SCDNR River Park in Rock Hill public launch (PL103 / OBJECTID 936)
- SCDNR Highway 9 public boat ramp BR506
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Reports
Paddler reports
See recent photos and notes from people on the route.
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Quick answers
Catawba River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Fort Mill River Access to Rock Hill River Park route on the Catawba River?
Paddle Today watches Catawba River at Rock Hill, SC and treats 1,800 cfs to 3,000 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does the Fort Mill River Access to Rock Hill River Park route on the Catawba River start and end?
This route starts at Fort Mill public landing below Lake Wylie Dam and ends at River Park in Rock Hill (SCDNR paddle launch), about 7 river miles on the water.
Is the Fort Mill River Access to Rock Hill River Park route on the Catawba River suitable for beginners?
This is listed as an easy route, but conditions still matter. Check today's score, water level, weather, and access notes before you go.
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