Little River (Louisiana) facts for kids

The Little River is a river in central Louisiana, United States. It is about 96-mile-long (154 km). This river flows into the Ouachita (Black) River. The Ouachita River then joins the Red River. All these rivers are part of the huge Mississippi River system. This means their water eventually flows into the Mississippi River. The Little River has also been known by other names. These include "Bayou Des Nacitoches," "Catahoula Bayou," and "Catahoula River."

The Little River starts about 3 miles (5 km) northeast of Georgetown. It forms where two smaller waterways meet: the Dugdemona River and Castor Creek. At first, it flows southeast. It runs along the edges of Grant, La Salle, and Rapides parishes. A parish is like a county in Louisiana.

Journey of the Little River

The Little River then turns to flow east-northeast. It enters La Salle Parish and goes through Catahoula Lake. This lake is next to the Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge is a protected area for animals and plants.

After leaving the lake, the Little River continues east-northeast. It flows into Catahoula Parish. Here, it joins the Ouachita River from the west. This meeting point is near Jonesville. Just below where the Tensas River joins, the Ouachita River is sometimes called the "Black River."

How Much Water Flows?

Scientists measure how much water flows in rivers. At a station near Rochelle, LA, the Little River carries a lot of water. On average each year, about 2,260 cubic feet of water flow past that point every second. That's like filling a small room with water every second!

A Special River Section

The state government of Louisiana has given a special title to part of the Little River. The top 53 miles (85 km) of the river, above Catahoula Lake, is called a "Natural and Scenic River." This means it is protected because of its natural beauty.

This special part of the river flows through beautiful forests. These forests have a mix of oak and gum trees. You can also see tall bald cypress trees. These trees often grow in wet, swampy areas.

Ancient History Along the River

People have lived along the Little River for a very long time. More than sixty ancient Native American sites have been found along this protected part of the river. These sites show where Native Americans lived many, many years ago. They help us learn about their history and how they lived.