Sampit River

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Sampit River (tidal) just above Georgetown Sampit River just above Georgetown County, South Carolina (17 July 2006).jpg
Sampit River (tidal) just above Georgetown

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]

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]

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gullah</span> African American ethnic group in south United States

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<i>Piaractus mesopotamicus</i> Species of fish

Piaractus mesopotamicus, the small-scaled pacu, Paraná River pacu or simply pacu, is a South American ray-finned fish that is native to the Paraguay-Paraná River basin, but it has been introduced by aquaculture activities in a wider area. In its native range it is also known as the pacú chato, pez chato or mbiraí-piraí.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pacu</span> Common name for several species of fish

Pacu is a common name used to refer to several species of omnivorous South American freshwater serrasalmid fish that are related to the piranha. Pacu and piranha do not have similar teeth, the main difference being jaw alignment; piranha have pointed, razor-sharp teeth in a pronounced underbite, whereas pacu have squarer, straighter teeth and a less severe underbite, or a slight overbite. Pacu, unlike piranha, mainly feed on plant material and not flesh or scales. Additionally, the pacu can reach much larger sizes than piranha, at up to 1.08 m in total length and 40 kg (88 lb) in weight.

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<i>Piaractus brachypomus</i> Species of fish

Piaractus brachypomus, the pirapitinga, is a large species of pacu, a close relative of piranhas and silver dollars, in the serrasalmid family. It is native to the Amazon basin in tropical South America, but it formerly included populations in the Orinoco, which was described in 2019 as a separate species, P. orinoquensis. Additionally, P. brachypomus is widely farmed and has been introduced to other regions. In South Florida they are invasive in rivers, canals or lakes.

<i>Piaractus</i> Genus of fishes

Piaractus is a genus of large serrasalmid from South America. The two traditionally recognized species of Piaractus are very similar in appearance and were formerly included in the genus Colossoma, which currently only contains another similar species, the tambaqui. A third Piaractus was described in 2019 as a new species, but it was formerly considered a subpopulation of P. brachypomus.

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Pee Dee River Rice Planters Historic District is a set of historic rice plantation properties and national historic district located near Georgetown, Georgetown County, South Carolina.

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. 1 2 "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.

Coordinates: 33°20′40″N79°16′19″W / 33.3443338°N 79.2719956°W / 33.3443338; -79.2719956