Pungo River facts for kids
The Pungo River is a cool waterway located in eastern North Carolina, USA. It's an important river that flows through different counties. This river eventually joins a bigger river called the Pamlico River, which then leads to the Pamlico Sound.
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The Pungo River: A North Carolina Waterway
Where Does the Pungo River Start?
The Pungo River didn't always start in the same place! Long ago, it began in a swampy area called the Great Dismal Swamp in Washington County, North Carolina. But in the 1950s, people dug a canal. This canal, called the Pungo River Canal, helps drain water from nearby farms. Now, this canal is considered the upper part of the river.
How the Pungo River Flows
After starting, the Pungo River flows towards the southeast. It forms a natural border between two counties: Beaufort County and Hyde County. As it continues, the river gets much wider. It then turns west and flows past the town of Belhaven, North Carolina. Finally, the Pungo River joins the Pamlico River close to the Pamlico Sound.
Connecting Rivers: The Pungo-Alligator Canal
Did you know the Pungo River is connected to another river? A special canal links the Pungo River with the Alligator River. This canal is about 21 miles (33.8 kilometers) long. It helps connect these two important waterways in eastern North Carolina.
