{{Use American English|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox river | name = Chauga River | name_native = | name_native_lang = | name_other = Chauga Creek | name_etymology = <!---------------------- IMAGE & MAP --> | image = | image_caption = | map = | map_size = | map_caption = | pushpin_map = | pushpin_map_size = | pushpin_map_caption= <!---------------------- LOCATION --> | subdivision_type1 = Country | subdivision_name1 = United States | subdivision_type2 = State | subdivision_name2 = South Carolina | subdivision_type3 = Region | subdivision_name3 = Oconee County | subdivision_type4 = | subdivision_name4 = | subdivision_type5 = Municipality | subdivision_name5 = Westminster <!---------------------- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS --> | length = | width_min = | width_avg = | width_max = | depth_min = | depth_avg = | depth_max = | discharge1_location= | discharge1_min = | discharge1_avg = | discharge1_max = <!---------------------- BASIN FEATURES --> | source1 = Sumter National Forest | source1_location = | source1_coordinates= {{coord|34|50|54|N|83|9|17|W|display=inline}} | source1_elevation = | mouth = | mouth_location = | mouth_coordinates = {{coord|34|36|30|N|83|9|55|W|display=inline,title}} | mouth_elevation = | progression = | river_system = | basin_size_km2 = 28.6 | tributaries_left = | tributaries_right = | custom_label = | custom_data = | extra = }} The '''Chauga River''' is a {{convert|31.3|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}}<ref name=NHD>U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data. [http://viewer.nationalmap.gov/viewer/ The National Map] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329155652/http://viewer.nationalmap.gov/viewer/ |date=2012-03-29 }}, accessed April 26, 2011</ref> tributary of the Tugaloo River in Oconee County, South Carolina.<ref name = gnis>{{cite web | title = Chauga River | work = Geographic Names Information Service | publisher = U.S. Geological Survey | date = 13 July 1980 | url = https://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/f?p=gnispq:3:::NO::P3_FID:1247261 | accessdate = 19 December 2009}}</ref>
==Course== The Chauga River's source is the confluence of Village Creek and East Village Creek about 1 mile (1.6 km) south of present-day Mountain Rest, South Carolina, in the Andrew Pickens Ranger District of the Sumter National Forest. A little more than 1 mile (1.6 km) downstream, it is joined by Jerry Creek, which flows from Lake Becky and Oconee State Park. Cassidy Bridge crosses it at the Cassidy Bridge Primitive Camp, after which it is joined by Cedar Creek and Rocky Fork Creek.
After it is crossed by U.S. Route 76, it is joined by Ramsey Creek at Chau Ram County Park. This was founded by owner and proprietor Michael Shead. There the river goes over a waterfall at the park and is crossed by a pedestrian suspension bridge. It flows south to Lake Hartwell, which was formed by damming the Tugaloo River and the Seneca River.
==Watershed== The 11-digit hydrologic unit code for the watershed is 03060102-120. The watershed covers {{convert|70768|acre|ha|abbr=on|0}}. The average terrain slope is 22.3%. About 93% of the watershed is forested and 5% is agricultural land.<ref name = dhec>{{cite web | title = 03060102-120 (Chauga River) | work = Watersheds and TMDLS | publisher = South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control | url = http://www.scdhec.gov/environment/water/shed/text/60102-120.pdf | access-date = 19 December 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100601233604/http://www.scdhec.gov/environment/water/shed/text/60102-120.pdf | archive-date = 1 June 2010 | url-status = dead }}</ref> A map of the watershed is available.<ref name = map>{{cite web | title = Chauga River Watershed | work = Watersheds and TMDLS | publisher = South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control | date = | url = http://www.scdhec.gov/environment/water/shed/maps/60102-120.pdf | format = pdf | access-date = 19 December 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100601233812/http://www.scdhec.gov/environment/water/shed/maps/60102-120.pdf | archive-date = 1 June 2010 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control has classified the Chauga River watershed upstream of about {{convert|1|mi}} above US Highway 76, except for Jerry Creek, as an "Outstanding Water Resource (ORW)." The lower part of the river is classified as "freshwaters suitable for primary and secondary contact recreation and as a source for drinking water supply after conventional treatment (FW)."
A small permitted wastewater discharge is located at Oconee State Park on Jerry Creek. The city of Westminster has water supply intakes on the Chauga River and on Ramsey Creek.<ref name = dhec/>
==Recreation== The Chauga River is a popular fishing area for rainbow trout, brown trout, chubs, and redeye bass. The Cassidy Bridge area offers parking and access. The warmer reaches of the river have largemouth bass, bluegill, and catfish.<ref name = dnr>{{cite web | title = Gateways | work = Jocassee Gorges | publisher = South Carolina Department of Natural Resources | url = http://www.dnr.sc.gov/managed/wild/jocassee/gateways.htm | access-date = 20 December 2009}}</ref>
Sections of the Chauga River are popular for whitewater kayaking. The most adventurous section starts at Cassidy Bridge, which is a {{convert|9.8|mi|adj=on}} section that is rated up to Class IV at high water.<ref name = AW>{{cite web | title = Chauga - 3: Route 290 /Cassidy Bridge Rd. to Cobbs Bridge Rd. | work = National Whitewater Inventory | publisher = American Whitewater | url = http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River_detail_id_1695 | access-date = 20 December 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100110015009/http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River_detail_id_1695 | archive-date = 10 January 2010 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
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Category:Rivers of South Carolina Category:Rivers of Oconee County, South Carolina Category:Sumter National Forest Category:Tributaries of the Savannah River