About
Tangipahoa River, Mississippi Louisiana — 1699 Iberville, 1840s-1880s Logging, 1900s Tangipahoa Mills 122-mi Kentwood. Through 80 miles of Louisiana piney woods and cypress swamp, the Tangipahoa River carries an average 620 CFS from Osyka down to Lake Pontchartrain. The Tangipahoa people — the "Corncob Gatherers" — lived along these waters before European contact, and the river retained their name through centuries of settlement. Designated a Louisiana Natural and Scenic River in 2014, it flows entirely within Tangipahoa Parish through three distinct sections. The upper 30 miles from Osyka to Kentwood cut narrow channels through piney woods. The middle stretch from Kentwood to Amite opens into 25 miles of sandbars and riffles. Below Amite, the final 25 miles spread into classic Louisiana cypress swamp before reaching the lake. At Class I throughout with optimal flows between 200 and 1,200 CFS, this is forgiving water even when running high. Tangipahoa River Adventures operates guided trips along the system, and USGS gauge 07375500 tracks conditions.
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and access points may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level.