There are several theories to how the river got its name. A local legend says the river got its name for its "tiger-like" current.[2] Another legend states that it was named after a french explorer named Tygert. One legend states that a wild cat and bear fought on the riverbank, with the wild cat winning. The Cherokee called the river Amoyescheck.[3]
The Tyger River starts as three forks in Spartanburg County, in upstate South Carolina, the north, middle, and south Tyger Rivers. The rivers flow generally southeastward until joining near Woodruff. The river continues flowing southeast until becoming the border for Union and Newberry Counties, while flowing 26 miles through Sumter National Forest. The river continues until joining the Broad River north of the Parr Reservoir. This point is the tri-point between Newberry, Union, and Fairfield Counties.[3]
Via the Broad River, the Tyger River is part of the Santee River Basin.
