Saluda River, River system in western South Carolina, US

The Saluda River is a river system in western South Carolina that winds through the landscape. It joins the Broad River at Columbia and flows into the Congaree River system.

The construction of Saluda Dam in the 1930s changed large sections of the river and created Lake Murray. Shortly after, the Buzzard Roost Dam was built, forming Lake Greenwood.

The name comes from an Algonquian-speaking people who settled along these banks in the 1600s. Local communities have long depended on the water for fishing and daily activities.

Visitors can explore the river at several points along its course where access from public roads is straightforward. The best time to visit is during drier months when water levels are more stable and conditions are pleasant.

The river forms from two distinct branches, the North and South Saluda, which meet northwest of Greenville. This junction creates an unusual point where water from two different watersheds comes together.