The Sampit River begins in a swampy area of western Georgetown County, South Carolina, USA.
The lower river merges into the bay and is deepened by tidal flows, and (to Georgetown harbor) by dredging.
[2][3][4] During colonial and antebellum years, areas near the river were developed extensively for rice cultivation,[5] on large plantations[6] dependent on labor of African slaves.
[11] In July 2006, a red-bellied pacu fish (Piaractus brachypomus) was caught in the upper portion of the river.
South Carolina DNR officials say this find highlights the danger of individuals releasing non-native fish to the wild.