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Photograph of the Wateree River

The 75-mile-long Wateree River begins in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina joining the Catawba River and Wateree Creek in Kershaw County. Our tour of this majestic river started at the Billy Tolar landing in Sumter, with SCDNR Law Enforcement officer Ed Laney as our guide on this warm and humid day in May. There is an array of wildlife one could encounter while boating or canoeing such as catfish, deer, waterfowl, raccoon, wild turkey and even an alligator or two. He provided facts abouts the area, wildlife and litter. Yes, litter. The shoreline has countless pockets of accumulated driftwood islets (a natural occurrence) covered with litter (not natural). It was sad to see how much litter was cluttering this beautiful river, which flows right into the Atlantic Ocean.

Driftwood with litter - dozens of bobbers (fishing lures), glass bottles, countless plastic bottles, Styrofoam cups and aerosol cans. Invasive Species Alert for South Carolina, Plastic Litter found in every county! Glass bottle – One of many glass bottles floating down the river headed for the Atlantic Ocean. Dead tree – A dead tree lodged on a small sand hill displaying its magnificence. Snake – Wildlife use driftwood islets to rest, seek shelter, or sun bathe. This red-bellied watersnake was sun bathing amongst the litter. Litter – This area just beyond the loading dock contained much of the same type of litter: plastic, bobbers, Styrofoam, and bait cups. Invasive Species Alert for South Carolina, Plastic Litter found in every county! Duckweed – Monofilament was found in the Duckweed, or water lens (also known as 'bayroot'), are flowering aquatic plants which float on or just beneath the surface of fresh water and wetlands. Many species of waterfowl feast on duckweed including mute swans, mallards, domestic ducks and teals. Much of the same litter as found on other driftwood islets throughout the area.

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