Pea River

The Pea River is a 154mi tributary of the Choctawhatchee River near Geneva, Alabama, United States. It is a popular destination for those with canoes and other small boats, as well as fishermen seeking bass, sunfish, or mullet.CourseThe Pea River begins near Midway, in Bullock County, Alabama, then flows southerly through Elba, where there is a dam, and then south through Ino, Samson, and on to Geneva, where it joins the Choctawhatchee. The river flooded Elba in 1929 and in the 1990s, and joined the Choctawhatchee in flooding Geneva on those same occasions. Although the Pea River begins and ends in Alabama, it makes a short dip into Florida right before it joins the Choctawhatchee at Geneva, Alabama, which some fishermen have discovered to their chagrin when caught fishing without a Florida license. Alabama allows residents to fish in their county of residence without a license, so long as they use only a pole (no reels), and have proof of county residence on them, such as a driver's license.The Pea River is navigable by boat to Elba, and beyond, although at low water the most common powerboats are 14 to 16 feet, and powered by outboards.EtymologyThe Pea River gets its name from its pea green color. Indeed, the Muscogee name for the Pea River is Talakhatchee, which means "pea green stream". Tuscaloosa means "black warrior", so perhaps a Native American name is available, but just not used.