Saint Helena Sound facts for kids

Sunrise at St. Helena Sound, June 2007

Saint Helena Sound is a beautiful coastal inlet in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina. It's a large body of water where rivers meet the Atlantic Ocean. This special area is found between Beaufort and Colleton counties.

Saint Helena Sound: A Special Place

Saint Helena Sound is more than just water; it's a vibrant ecosystem. It's known for its natural beauty and importance to wildlife. Many people enjoy visiting this area for its peaceful scenery and outdoor activities.

Where is Saint Helena Sound?

This amazing inlet is located on the coast of South Carolina. It's about 15 miles (24 km) east of the city of Beaufort. The sound sits between two important land areas: Edisto Island and Hunting Island. It's part of a much larger natural area called the ACE Basin.

What Rivers Flow into the Sound?

The name "ACE Basin" is actually a clever way to remember the three main rivers that flow into Saint Helena Sound. These rivers are the Ashepoo, Combahee, and the south branch of the Edisto. The first letter of each river's name (A, C, E) forms the "ACE" in ACE Basin. These rivers bring fresh water from inland areas into the salty ocean water of the sound.

How Big is Saint Helena Sound?

Saint Helena Sound is quite large! At its widest point, it stretches about 7.5 miles (12 km) across. This wide expanse of water is also crossed by the Intracoastal Waterway. The Intracoastal Waterway is like a highway for boats that runs along the Atlantic coast, allowing boats to travel safely without going out into the open ocean.

Protecting Saint Helena Sound

Much of the land around Saint Helena Sound is protected. This means it's kept safe from too much building or development. This protection is thanks to efforts like the St. Helena Sound Heritage Preserve and the larger ACE Basin project. These projects help make sure that the natural beauty and important habitats of the sound will be there for many years to come. Protecting these areas helps keep the plants and animals that live there safe and healthy.