(WPDE) — The widespread effects of Hurricane Helene have led South Carolina to temporarily close hunting within several river systems so as to protect the wildlife being impacted by the flooding. The state Dept. of Natural Resources (SCDNR) announced Monday it has closed hunting within the Wateree, Congaree and Santee river drainage systems on all game species except for alligator, doves, hogs and coyotes. According to officials, there are concerns about the conditions created by flooding wherein game cannot protect themselves. This creates the chance for exploitation of game species that cannot access their normal escape routes and are trapped in small areas of high ground. Starting Wednesday at 12:01 a.m., a five-day closure of the hunting season will be in effect through Sunday at 11:59 p.m. SCDNR will continue to monitor flooded areas to adjust the closed zones and timeframes as conditions change. Wateree-Congaree drainage: Calhoun County West side boundary: beginning on Interstate 26 at the Lexington County line, thence southeast on I-26 to the intersection of I-26 and U.S. 176. Thence southeast on U.S. 176 to the intersection with state road 24 (Old Belleville Road). Thence east on state road 24 to the intersection with state road 25 (Purple Martin Drive), thence east on state road 25 to Fort Motte, becoming S.C. 419 (Ft. Motte Road). Thence southeast on S.C. 419 to the intersection with S.C. 267 (McCords Ferry Road). Thence southeast on S.C. 267 to the CSX train line in Lone Star. Thence north on the CSX train line to the Sumter County line. Kershaw County An area bounded on the north by Interstate 20 on the south by Richland and Sumter counties, on the east by U.S. 521, from I-20 to its intersection with S.C. 261, thence south on S.C. 261 to the Sumter County line. On the west by U.S. 601 to the Richland County line. Lexington County West side boundary: beginning at the Richland County line on U.S. 321, thence west to I-26, thence southeast on I-26 to the Calhoun County line. Richland County North side boundary: the Kershaw County line. West side boundary: beginning at the Kershaw County line on U.S. 601, thence south to S.C. 48 (Bluff Road), thence west on S.C. 48 to U.S. 321. Thence west on U.S. 321 to the Lexington County line. Sumter County An area bounded as follows: on the north by the Kershaw County line, on the east by S.C. 261, on the west by the Richland and Calhoun County lines, and on the south by the CSX Railroad tracks from Pinewood to the Calhoun County line. Santee drainage: Clarendon County That area described as follows: beginning at the intersection of S.C. 260 and state road 323 (Kenwood Road), and running along state road 323 to its intersection with state road 351, thence running along state road 351 to state road 48, thence along state road 48 to the Williamsburg County line, thence along said county line to the Berkeley County line thence west along the Clarendon/Berkeley County line to Wilson Dam, thence north along said dam to S.C. 260, thence along S.C. 260 at state road 323. Categories: Local News, State Tags: Hurricane Helene