The Surface Water Program maintains master copies of the Simplified Water Allocation Models. Use this page to download SWAM models for the Edisto, Broad, Pee Dee, Salkehatchie, Saluda, and Savannah River basins.

Surface water models are used to simulate surface water conditions and to assess surface water availability.

The Groundwater Program maintains a network of 11 wells to monitor saltwater intrusion along the Coast.

Groundwater models are used to simulate groundwater flow and assess groundwater availability.

Overview

Effective water planning and management requires an accurate assessment of the location and quantity of the State’s groundwater resources. The United States Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with SCDES, the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES), and the United States Army Corps of Engineers, is developing a computer model to simulate groundwater flow in the Coastal Plain province of South Carolina.

The Groundwater Program analyzes pumping tests to determine aquifer properties, which describe the capacity of aquifers and wells to produce water.

The Groundwater Program delineates and maps the principal aquifers and confining units of the Coastal Plain.

Overview

Groundwater is a major source of water for public supply, irrigation, industry, and power generation. The Coastal Plain covers two-thirds of the State yet contains about 95% of its groundwater resources. It consists of layers of unconsolidated sand, clay, and limestone. Sand and limestone layers are porous and constitute the water-bearing zones called aquifers; clay layers are relatively impervious and constitute the confining units.