Plan
The Chauga River originates from headwaters in the Blue Ridge region of the Appalachian Mountains near Mountain Rest, SC and flows for approximately 31 miles to the Tugaloo River branch of Lake Hartwell near the town of Westminster. Its 70,539-acre watershed, a sub-watershed of the larger Savannah River Basin, is entirely within Oconee County. The Upper Chauga River watershed contains both public and private land and is largely characterized by small man-made lakes on several of the river’s tributaries. In the Middle Chauga watershed, the river flows almost entirely through public national forest land popular for recreation. The Chauga passes through Chau Ram County Park and the rural outskirts of Westminster in the Lower Chauga River watershed before emptying into Lake Hartwell.
The Chauga River is situated on the border of the Blue Ridge and Piedmont biogeographical regions and supports many unique biological communities. The Chauga Crayfish, Cambarus chaugaensis, is one species that has been listed as imperiled by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) and documented as being “particularly sensitive to sedimentation”. According to the SCDNR, the Chauga River also provides one of the best remaining refuges for Bartram’s Bass (Micropterus sp. cf. coosae) in response to the invasive Alabama Bass. The Chauga is one of the few cold-water fisheries in the state and is stocked by SC DNR, but is also reportedly home to some wild trout. As sedimentation is known to reduce the chance of a self-sustaining trout population (Argent and Flebbe, EBTJV), recommended remediation measures included in this plan will help enhance trout habitat and populations.
The Chauga River provides the source water intake for the City of Westminster, SC, which provides water services for approximately 7,500 residents. In the recent past, sediment impairment of the Chauga has caused the Westminster water plant to shut down following large rain storms. The facility was updated in 2006 to provide additional protections against heavy rain events that were causing water supply interruptions.
Pictured left: The City of Westminster’s source water intake is located just above Chau Ram County Park.
The Chauga River is popular for recreation for both residents and visitors to the county, as much of its middle portion flows through public land in the Sumter National Forest. Many users enjoy activities such as fishing, hiking, camping, hunting, swimming, and sight-seeing at attractions like the popular Riley Moore Falls (pictured right). One of Oconee County’s biggest developed tourist attractions is Chau Ram Park, located on the banks of the Chauga River.
Due to the river’s popularity and the entirety of its flow being within the county, there are numerous entities interested in restoring and protecting it. This includes the City of Westminster, U.S. Forest Service, Oconee County, Chattooga River Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Oconee County Soil and Water Conservation District, and SCDNR, as well as the countless residents and visitors who enjoy the river each year.
The development of the Chauga River Watershed Plan is led by the Chattooga Conservancy with the assistance of our cooperating and supporting partners who each provide unique knowledge and expertise. Following US EPA and SC DES guidelines for watershed planning, the Chauga WP development process includes assessing current best management practices (BMPs) to determine if they have been effective in reducing pollutants; engaging local stakeholders, governments, and other organizations; and evaluating and updating issues of concern and land-use data. Water quality data is currently being collected and analyzed with additional grant funding from the Pete and Sally Smith Foundation (see the “Water Sampling Sites” layer on our Interactive Map to view locations and find links to results). Following this in-depth watershed analysis, a thorough list of BMPs will be recommended with targeted implementation milestones, and a long-term monitoring plan will be designed.
CHAU RAM PARK EVENT: SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2026
Join the Chattooga Conservancy to discuss the development of our Chauga River Watershed Plan in a community outreach event at Chau Ram County Park on Saturday, March 21st, 2026! Chattooga Conservancy staff will give a brief presentation about the Chauga Watershed Plan and solicit input from local residents and stakeholders. Come join us to learn about the Chauga River watershed and our Watershed Plan initiative, and stick around after the presentation for a guided hike in Chau Ram Park. This will be a family-friendly event. Admission is free.
Details:
Date: Saturday, March 21st, 2026
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Chau Ram County Park Recreation Building, 1220 Chau Ram Park Rd, Westminster, SC 29693
Agenda:
- 1 – 2 PM: Chauga Watershed Plan presentation and discussion
- 2 – 2:15 PM: Light refreshments
- 2:15 – 3:15 PM: Guided hike through Chau Ram County Park
Can’t make it to the meeting? Review a draft of the presentation here: Draft Chauga WP Presentation March 2026
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