An upcoming dragboat racing event in Augusta has been canceled because of rising floodwaters along the Savannah River.

The Augusta Southern Nationals dragboat races were canceled. The races were scheduled to be held July 19-21.

Race chairman Dayton Sherrouse says it's the first time in the event's 28-year history that it's been canceled. He says recent excessive rainfall has caused upstream reservoirs to exceed full pool, causing flows in the river that are too high and fast.

Sherrouse says the river's flow is generally about 7,000 cubic feet per second when the race is held, but the flows are currently about 40,000 cubic feet per second.

Sherrouse says the Army Corps of Engineers said the conditions were unlikely to subside in coming weeks.

Tags: weather, Savannah River, flooding, Georgia weather, augusta southern nationals, drag boat race