{{Redirect|Abita|the Abita Brewing Company|Abita Brewing Company|the town of Abita Springs|Abita Springs, Louisiana}} {{Use American English|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox river | name = Abita River | subdivision_type1 = Country | subdivision_name1 = United States | subdivision_type2 = State | subdivision_name2 = Louisiana | subdivision_type3 = Parish | subdivision_name3 = St. Tammany | subdivision_type5 = Cities | subdivision_name5 = Abita Springs, Covington | length = {{convert|9.3|mi|km|adj=mid}} | source1_location = St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana | source1_coordinates= {{coord|30|29|08|N|90|00|31|W|display=inline}} | mouth = Bogue Falaya | mouth_location = Covington, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana | mouth_coordinates = {{coord|30|27|16|N|90|06|10|W|display=inline,title}} | tributaries_right = Abita Creek <!-- Create or redirect to Abita River --> }}
The '''Abita River''' is a {{convert|9.3|mi|km|adj=mid}} river in southeastern Louisiana, United States. It is a tributary of the Bogue Falaya, which flows into the Tchefuncte River and ultimately Lake Pontchartrain.<ref>{{Cite web|title=National Hydrography Dataset|url=https://viewer.nationalmap.gov/viewer/|publisher=U.S. Geological Survey|access-date=2024-06-20}}</ref>
==Course== The river originates in central St. Tammany Parish and flows west-southwest through Abita Springs before joining the Bogue Falaya near Covington.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Scenic Rivers Descriptions and Map|url=https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/scenic-rivers-descriptions-and-map|publisher=Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries|access-date=2024-06-20}}</ref>
==Natural and Scenic River designation== The entire length of the Abita River is part of the Louisiana Natural and Scenic Rivers System, which provides legal protection for streams with ecological and recreational value.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Scenic Rivers Descriptions and Map|url=https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/scenic-rivers-descriptions-and-map|publisher=Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries|access-date=2024-06-20}}</ref>
==Ecology== The river basin includes the Abita Creek Flatwoods Preserve, managed by The Nature Conservancy. The preserve protects longleaf pine savanna and supports rare plant species such as pitcher plants.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Abita Creek Flatwoods Preserve|url=https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/abita-creek-flatwoods-preserve/|publisher=The Nature Conservancy|access-date=2024-06-20}}</ref>
==Cultural significance== The name "Abita" is derived from a Choctaw word meaning "fountain." The river and its springs were historically used by Indigenous peoples and later became central to the development of Abita Springs as a health resort in the 19th century.<ref>{{Cite web|title=History At A Glance: Abita Springs|url=https://www.sttammanylibrary.org/blogs/post/history-at-a-glance-abita-springs-land-of-healing-waters/|publisher=St. Tammany Parish Library|access-date=2024-06-20}}</ref>
==Recreation== The Abita River is used for canoeing and kayaking, and the surrounding preserve offers hiking opportunities.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Visit Abita Creek Flatwoods Preserve|url=https://www.visitthenorthshore.com/listing/abita-creek-flatwoods-preserve/113/|publisher=Visit The Northshore|access-date=2024-06-20}}</ref>
==Variant names== According to the Geographic Names Information System, historical names for the Abita River include: * Abeter Bayou * Bayou Abeter * Bayou Abita<ref>{{Cite web|title=GNIS Detail - Abita River|url=https://geonames.usgs.gov/apex/f?p=gnispq:3:::NO::P3_FID:559752|publisher=U.S. Geological Survey|access-date=2024-06-20}}</ref>
==See also== * List of Louisiana Natural and Scenic Rivers * Abita Springs, Louisiana * Abita Creek Flatwoods Preserve <!-- Create this page -->
==References== {{Reflist}}
Category:Rivers of Louisiana Category:Rivers of St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana Category:Protected areas of Louisiana {{Louisiana-stub}}