Lake Waccamaw
Lake Waccamaw
is a unique fresh water lake located in Columbus County in North
Carolina. The lake is oval in shape and measures roughly 5 miles by
7 miles with an average depth of 7.5 feet. It is the largest of the
natural Carolina Bay Lakes with a total surface area of 8,936 acres.
The Lake is estimated to be 250,000 years old. Since the lake is
naturally occurring, argument can be made that it is the second
largest, natural, fresh water lake on this side of the Mississippi
River. The lake is fed mainly by Big Creek and the surrounding swamp
lands. The organic matter from the decaying vegetation of the swamps
makes the water dark. The Lake is full of life. It even contains
some species, such as the Waccamaw Silverside , that are native only
to Lake Waccamaw.
