Yockanookany River facts for kids
The Yockanookany River is a river about 78 miles (126 km) long. It flows through the middle of Mississippi in the United States. This river is a smaller stream, called a tributary, that flows into the Pearl River. The Pearl River then travels all the way to the Gulf of Mexico.
Where Does the Yockanookany River Flow?
The Yockanookany River begins in Choctaw County. It starts near the town of Ackerman. The river then flows mostly southwest. It passes through Attala and Leake counties. Along its path, it goes by towns like Weir, McCool, Ethel, and Kosciusko. Finally, the Yockanookany River joins the Pearl River in the southwestern part of Leake County.
River Changes Over Time
Parts of the Yockanookany River have been changed by people. This is called channelization. It means the river's path was made straighter and deeper. The upper part of the river in Choctaw and Attala counties was channelized in 1914. The middle part was finished in 1928. In some areas, water still flows in the river's original, natural path too.
After the town of Kosciusko, a famous road called the Natchez Trace Parkway runs right next to the river.
What Does the Name "Yockanookany" Mean?
The name Yockanookany comes from the Choctaw language. People believe it means "land creek."
The United States Board on Geographic Names officially decided on "Yockanookany River" as the name in 1949. Before that, the river was known by several other names. These names include:
- Yexgonnongoune River
- Yockahockany River
- Yockammockanna Creek
- Yokahocany River
- Yokahochany River
- Yokahockana River
- Yokahockany Creek
- Yokahockany River
