Savannah River

The Savannah River is a major river in the southeastern United States. It makes up most of the border between the states of South Carolina and Georgia. The Savannah River drainage basin extends into the southeastern side of the Appalachian Mountains just inside North Carolina. It is bounded by the Eastern Continental Divide. It is formed by the confluence of the Tugaloo River and the Seneca River. Today this confluence is under Lake Hartwell, a man-made reservoir. From Lake Hartwell to the Atlantic Ocean the Savannah River is 313 miles (504 km) long.

Savannah River Tugaloo River
Savannah River at Augusta, with the Augusta Canal running alongside
Map of the Savannah River watershed
Location
Country	United States
State	North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia
Cities	Savannah, Augusta
Physical characteristics
Source	Lake Hartwell
- coordinates	34°26′37″N 82°51′22″W
- elevation	655 ft (200 m)
Mouth	Atlantic Ocean
- location	Tybee Roads
- coordinates	32°2′16″N 80°51′0″W
- elevation	0 ft (0 m)
Length	301 mi (484 km)
Basin size	9,850 sq mi (25,500 km2)
Discharge
- location	near Clyo, GA
- average	11,720 cu ft/s (332 m3/s)
Basin features
Tributaries
- left	Seneca River
- right	Tugaloo River

Two major cities are located along the Savannah River: Savannah, and Augusta, Georgia. They were the center of early English settlements during the Colonial period of American history. The Savannah River is tidal at Savannah. Downstream from there, the river widens into an estuary. Then it flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The area where the river's estuary meets the ocean is known as "Tybee Roads". The Intracoastal Waterway flows through a section of the Savannah River near the city of Savannah.