Pee Dee / Great Pee Dee River

The Great Pee Dee River, also known simply as the Pee Dee River, is a major waterway in the southeastern United States that flows through North Carolina and South Carolina. It originates in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina as the Yadkin River and continues for over 230 miles (about 373 km) before emptying into Winyah Bay near Georgetown, South Carolina. After the confluence with the Uwharrie River, it becomes the Pee Dee and flows southeastward through diverse landscapes, including the Piedmont region, the Sandhills, and the Coastal Plain. Its lower course features scenic swamps, bottomland hardwood forests, cypress-tupelo wetlands, and coastal marshes, supporting rich biodiversity and wildlife habitats. A significant portion of the lower river has been designated a State Scenic River. Historically, the river is named after the Pee Dee Native American tribe that once inhabited the region. It has played an important role in transportation, agriculture (especially rice cultivation in the past), and recreation, with sections suitable for paddling and fishing. Today, it remains a vital natural resource with a large average discharge and a largely wild character in many areas.