Big Black River

Big Black River is a river in the U.S. state of Mississippi and a tributary of the Mississippi River. Its origin is in Webster County near the town of Eupora in the north central part of the state. From there it flows 330 miles (531 km) in a generally southwest direction until it merges with the Mississippi River 25 miles south of the city of Vicksburg. It is the major contributor to the Big Black River Basin.

The Big Black River and most of its tributaries are silt-filled. The rivers carry large amounts of suspended sediment stemming mostly from agricultural runoff. These tributaries are slow-flowing muddy streams. However, some are swift-flowing with sandy bottoms.

Big Black River Basin

The size of Big Black River Basin drainage area is 3,400 square miles. Its elevation varies from 50 to 650 feet (14 to 198 meters) above sea level. It is 160 miles long and averages 22 to 25 miles wide. Most of its small tributaries are in the upper part of the basin and flow only part of the year. The terrain is hilly with 56% of the land forested and 39% used for farming and cattle ranching.

Battle site

A pivotal battle between the Union and Confederate forces occurred along the Big Black River culminated in the Vicksburg Campaign of the American Civil War. Commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant, the battle occurred when the Confederate troops under General John C. Pemberton won at the Battle of Champion Hill. Grant then chased Pemberton who was headed toward Vicksburg. Pemberton left 5,000 troops to make a stand on both sides of the Big Black River after his Champion Hill defeat, while he withdrew with his main command to nearby Vicksburg.

The Battle of Big Black River Bridge fought in the Battle of Vicksburg was part of the Vicksburg Campaign.

Notes

External links

• The Big Black River Basin Map
• Big Black River Bridge (Big Black)
• Map of Big Black River
• Big Black and Homochitto River Basins
• The Big Black Bridge
• Big Black River Bridge Civil War Mississippi
• Big Black River at West
• Historical Maps of Big Black River (Miss)