Stono River Separates Johns Island and James Island, SC

**The Stono River** separates Johns Island (west) from James Island (east) in Charleston County, South Carolina.

Geographic Context

• Both are **Sea Islands**—barrier islands formed by Pleistocene sea-level changes.
• Stono River is a tidal estuary connecting Wadmalaw Sound (south) to Charleston Harbor via the Ashley River.
• Crossed by **SC-700 (Maybank Highway) bridge** and **SC-171 (Folly Road) bridge**.

Historical Note

The **Stono Rebellion (1739)**—largest slave uprising in colonial British America—began near the river on Johns Island.

Ecology

Salt marshes, oyster beds, dolphin habitat. Part of the ACE Basin conservation area (Ashepoo-Combahee-Edisto).

So: Stono River is the water boundary between these two historic Lowcountry islands.