Sampit River

The Sampit River begins in a swampy area of western Georgetown County, South Carolina, USA. It flows in an easterly direction to Winyah Bay at Georgetown.[1] Only small crafts can navigate the upper parts of the river. The lower river merges into the bay and is deepened by tidal flows, and (to Georgetown harbor) by dredging.[2][3][4]

For the river in Indonesia, see Sampit River (Indonesia).
Sampit River (tidal) just above Georgetown

During colonial and antebellum years, areas near the river were developed extensively for rice cultivation,[5] on large plantations[6] dependent on labor of African slaves.[7] They created complex earthworks with dams and other elements to irrigate the rice fields using tidewaters.[8][9] In this and other areas of the Low Country, African Americans developed the Gullah people and culture,[10] a distinct creole culture with strong connections through culture, language and cuisine to West African peoples.[11]

Invasive species

In July 2006, a red-bellied pacu fish (Piaractus brachypomus) was caught in the upper portion of the river.[12][13] Pacus are relatives of piranhas native to South America. South Carolina DNR officials say this find highlights the danger of individuals releasing non-native fish to the wild. Non-native species can sometimes outcompete local species for habitat and food, killing them off, or introduce diseases, with devastating effects on fisheries.[12]

References
  1. "Sampit River at Georgetown, SC". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  2. "Project Fact Sheet: Georgetown Harbor, SC" (PDF). U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District. 10 April 2018. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  3. Sokoloski, Chris (20 June 2022). "Engineers outline plan for dredging port's inner harbor". Coastal Observer. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  4. James, Andrew (2 January 2023). "CCU study suggests another option for Georgetown's inner harbor silting issue". ABC15 News. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  5. David Soliday (2010). "Aerial photograph of the Sampit River flowing through Friendfield Plantation". National Museum of African American History & Culture. Photograph by David Soliday. Smithsonian. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  6. "Friendfield Plantation, Georgetown County". National Register Properties in South Carolina. South Carolina Department of Archives and History. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  7. Ivey, Page (2023). "Discover Georgetown, A Quiet Spot on the Coast". Discover South Carolina. South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism.
  8. "Sampit River". South Carolina Picture Project. 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  9. Linder, Suzanne (23 August 2022) [Originally published 20 June 2016]. "Rice Trunks". South Carolina Encyclopedia. University of South Carolina, Institute for Southern Studies. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  10. Tommy Howard; Georgetown Times (22 April 2022). "Georgetown County's natural beauty intertwined with its history". The Post and Courier. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  11. Sumpter, Althea (16 September 2020) [Originally published 31 March 2006]. "Geechee and Gullah Culture". New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  12. "Non-native Pacu fish caught in Sampit River". DNR News. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. 28 August 2006. #06-224. Archived from the original on 19 July 2010.
  13. Nico, L.G.; Fuller, P.L.; Neilson, M.E. (22 December 2020) [Peer reviewed 22 October 2013]. "Piaractus brachypomus (Cuvier, 1818)". Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database. Gainesville, Florida: U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved 23 March 2023.

33.3443338°N 79.2719956°W / 33.3443338; -79.2719956

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