Ponchatoula Creek facts for kids
Ponchatoula Creek is a stream in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana. It is about 26.1 miles (42 kilometers) long. This creek flows into the Natalbany River. The two waterways meet where the Natalbany River forms a border between Tangipahoa Parish and Livingston Parish. Ponchatoula Creek begins west of Old US Highway 51, about 1 mile (1.6 km) north of Independence. The entire creek is located within Tangipahoa Parish.
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Where Ponchatoula Creek Flows
Ponchatoula Creek generally flows southwest. It winds its way around the west side of towns like Independence and Tickfaw. It also flows through Natalbany and the northeastern part of Hammond. From there, it goes west between Hammond and the city of Ponchatoula. Finally, it turns south and west to join the Natalbany River near Springfield.
Many bridges cross Ponchatoula Creek. These include LA 40, US 51, US 190, and I-55. A small part of the creek flows along the northern edge of Southeastern Louisiana University's main campus. Another part of the creek flows in a tunnel under the campus.
The Creek's Importance
For a long time, Ponchatoula Creek has been important to people.
Native American History
Long ago, Native Americans used Ponchatoula Creek as a hunting ground. Deer were common near the stream. Even today, people sometimes find old arrowheads along the creek banks. These arrowheads are a sign of the creek's long history.
Early Settlers
In the early 1800s, a man named Peter Hammond settled near the creek. The city of Hammond is named after him. Peter Hammond used the creek to help his business. He would float wood products down the stream. These products were then sold to ships in New Orleans.
Modern Use and Flood Control
Today, the main purpose of Ponchatoula Creek is for drainage. To help prevent flooding, parts of the creek have been made wider and deeper. This process is called dredging. While these changes have made the creek less natural-looking, they have greatly improved its ability to drain water. This helps to protect nearby areas from floods. The tunnel under Southeastern Louisiana University's campus is tall enough for an average person to walk through.
Ponchatoula Creek is also the namesake for several things. These include the city of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, and two ships, the USS Ponchatoula (AOG 38) and the USS Ponchatoula (AO 148). It also gave its name to Ponchatoula High School.
Animals in the Creek
Ponchatoula Creek is home to different kinds of animals. One fish found here is the grass carp. This fish is also known as the white amur. It was brought to the United States in 1963 from Taiwan and Malaysia. Grass carp are often put into waterways to help control too much plant growth.
