Tangipahoa River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tangipahoa |
|
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State | Mississippi, Louisiana |
| County/Parish | Pike County Amite County Lincoln County Tangipahoa Parish |
| Cities | Osyka, Mississippi Kentwood, Louisiana Amite, Louisiana Hammond, Louisiana Robert, Louisiana Ponchatoula, Louisiana |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Little Tangipahoa River Osyka, Pike County, Mississippi 269 ft (82 m) 31°06′29″N 90°28′32″W / 31.10806°N 90.47556°W |
| River mouth | Lake Pontchartrain Southeast Ponchatoula, Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana −3 ft (−0.91 m) 30°20′12″N 90°16′26″W / 30.33667°N 90.27389°W |
| Length | 122 mi (196 km) |
The Tangipahoa River (pronounced tan-ji-pə-HOH-ə) is a cool river that flows for about 122 miles (196 km). It starts in southwest Mississippi, near a town called McComb. From there, it travels south, passing through Lake Tangipahoa. This lake is part of Percy Quin State Park.
After leaving Mississippi, the river flows into southeast Louisiana. It goes entirely through a place called Tangipahoa Parish. Finally, the Tangipahoa River empties into the northwest part of Lake Pontchartrain.
What's in a Name?
The River's Special Name
The Tangipahoa River got its name from the Tangipahoa Native American people. They were a group of people who lived in this area a long time ago. Their name is now remembered through this important river.
Other Names for the River
Over time, the Tangipahoa River has been known by several different names. These names were used by various people who explored or lived near the river. The official system for geographic names lists these other names:
- Rio Tanchipaho
- Taensapaoa River
- Tanchipaho River
- Tanchipao River
- Tandgepao River
- Tandgi-pao River
- Tangipaho River
- Tansypaho River
- Tanzipao River
- Taugipahoa River
- Tuckepaw River
- Big Tangipahoa River
