The Sampit River begins in a swampy area of western Georgetown County, South Carolina, USA. It flows in an easterly direction to Winyah Bay at Georgetown.^[1] Only small crafts can navigate the upper parts of the river. 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.^[7] They created complex earthworks with dams and other elements to irrigate the rice fields using tidewaters.^[8][9] In this and other areas of the Low Country, African Americans developed the Gullah people and culture,^[10] a distinct creole culture with strong connections through culture, language and cuisine to West African peoples.^[11]

In July 2006, a red-bellied pacu fish (Piaractus brachypomus) was caught in the upper portion of the river.^[12][13] Pacus are relatives of piranhas native to South America. South Carolina DNR officials say this find highlights the danger of individuals releasing non-native fish to the wild. Non-native species can sometimes outcompete local species for habitat and food, killing them off, or introduce diseases, with devastating effects on fisheries.^[12]