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]
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]
33°20′40″N79°16′19″W / 33.3443338°N 79.2719956°W