South Carolina | Pee Dee / Florence County
Lynches RiverIndigo Landing to Wicklow Landing
A roughly five-mile blackwater day paddle through the Lynches floodplain, ending above US 378. Tight bends, fallen trees and possible carries make this an outing for experienced moving-water paddlers.
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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.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
A distinct five-mile reach between SCDNR river miles 39 and 34 with an upstream Effingham stage reference.
Access map
Put-in
Indigo LandingIndigo is a small paddle launch; parking capacity and fees are not specified by the access inventory. Do not block the road or neighboring property.
Take-out
Wicklow Landing above US 378Wicklow has a ramp and parking; inspect flood debris and the approach before starting.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- Indigo is a small paddle launch; parking capacity and fees are not specified by the access inventory. Do not block the road or neighboring property.
- Wicklow has a ramp and parking; inspect flood debris and the approach before starting.
- An open access listing does not establish a clear river channel.
Watch for
- Strainers at bends and possible portages
- Rising water and indistinct channels
- Private banks and limited bailout options
Plan this paddle
Choose your trip times
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Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
Check how the river is changing and what weather to expect.
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
Lynches River at Effingham, 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
Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.
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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- Checking evidence cautions.
Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Lynches River at Effingham, SC |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| Discharge | 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 | 2.00 ft to 9.00 ft |
| Low threshold | 2.00 ft |
| High threshold | 9.00 ft |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | SCDNR Lynches Scenic River Water Trail Guide |
| 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.
- Reach and distanceRiver miles 39 to 34
SCDNR identifies Indigo and the landing above US 378; the current access inventory calls the latter Wicklow Landing.
- Numeric scoring evidenceEffingham gage height 2–9 ft
Printed page 6 provides travel guidance, separate from the historical flow extremes table. No conversion from discharge or NAVD elevation is used.
- Access and coordinate review2026-09-09
SCDNR public-access records 938 (Indigo) and 431 (Wicklow) are Active/Open. Indigo uses the official mapped bank access. Wicklow is adjusted about 50 feet from the inventory pin to the visible ramp edge on imagery; imagery acquisition date is unknown.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-09-09USGS 02132000 / 00065
This reading was saved when we checked the guide. It is not today’s water level. Check the current gauge and local conditions before paddling.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
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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Keep exploring
More routes to check next
Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.
Quick answers
Lynches River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Indigo Landing to Wicklow Landing route on the Lynches River?
Paddle Today watches Lynches River at Effingham, SC and treats 2.00 ft to 9.00 ft as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does the Indigo Landing to Wicklow Landing route on the Lynches River start and end?
This route starts at Indigo Landing and ends at Wicklow Landing above US 378, about 5 river miles on the water.
Is the Indigo Landing to Wicklow Landing route on the Lynches River suitable for beginners?
This is listed as a hard route. Treat the live score as a planning aid, then confirm conditions, hazards, access, and group skill before launching.
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