Leaf River (Mississippi) facts for kids
The Leaf River is a river in southern Mississippi, United States. It is about 180 miles (290 km) long. This river is a main branch of the Pascagoula River. The Pascagoula River then flows into the Gulf of Mexico.
Where the Leaf River Flows
The Leaf River starts in the Bienville National Forest. This is in southwestern Scott County. It first flows south through several counties. These include Smith, Covington, Jones, and Forrest Counties.
The river reaches Hattiesburg. Here, another river, the Bouie River, joins it. After Hattiesburg, the Leaf River turns southeast. It flows through Perry and Greene Counties. It also passes near the De Soto National Forest. Finally, in George County, it meets the Chickasawhay River. Together, they form the larger Pascagoula River.
Leaf River History
The Leaf River was once an important way to travel and trade. This was before many roads were built. People used the river to move goods and supplies. Traders would travel regularly from Pascagoula. They brought supplies to people living along the riverbanks.
There is an old story about one of these traders. Legend says he buried a lot of money near the river. It was several thousand dollars in old Spanish coins. These coins were supposedly found around the year 1854.
Keeping the River Clean
The upper parts of the Leaf River are known for being very clean. However, there have been concerns about the lower parts of the river. Since the 1990s, some people have worried about pollution there.
People wanted to make sure the river was safe. They were concerned about certain chemicals possibly getting into the water. In 1996, courts looked into these claims. They found no scientific proof that the river had dangerous levels of these chemicals. This showed the importance of keeping our rivers healthy and clean for everyone.
