Tensaw River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tensaw River |
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The Tensaw River in Blakeley, Alabama
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| Country | United States |
| State | Alabama |
| County | Baldwin County |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | 31°04′05″N 87°57′47″W / 31.06795°N 87.96306°W |
| River mouth | 30°41′07″N 88°00′25″W / 30.68519°N 88.00695°W |
| Length | 41 miles (66 km) |
The Tensaw River is a river located in Baldwin County, Alabama, in the United States. Its name comes from the historic Taensa people, who were an indigenous group.
About the Tensaw River
The Tensaw River is a special type of river called a distributary. This means it's like a branch that flows away from a main river, instead of flowing into it. The Tensaw branches off from the Mobile River. It is about 41 miles (66 km) long.
Where the Tensaw River Starts
The Tensaw River begins as a smaller channel, known as a bayou, that splits off from the Mobile River. This happens about 6 miles (9.7 km) south of where the Mobile River itself forms. The Mobile River is created when two other large rivers, the Tombigbee and the Alabama rivers, join together.
How the Tensaw River Flows
The Tensaw River flows next to the Mobile River and the Middle River. The Tensaw is the one that flows furthest to the east. There are many smaller channels and waterways that branch off the main Tensaw River into Baldwin County.
The Tensaw River eventually flows into Mobile Bay. This happens near Blakeley Island and Pinto Island. It's also about 1.8 miles (2.9 km) east of downtown Mobile.
