The Chunky River is located in east-central Mississippi and is a tributary of the
Chickasawhay River. The Chunky River begins in Newton County between the
towns of Hickory and Chunky and is formed by the confluence of the Chunky
Creek and Okahatta Creek. The river flows southeastwardly through the
southwest portion of Lauderdale County and the northwest portion of Clarke
County. The Chunky River joins Okatibbee Creek near Enterprise to form the
Chickasawhay River. Dunn’s Falls is a wonderful attraction on the Chunky River
just north of Enterprise. Dunn’s Falls consists of a 65-foot waterfall that was
created to power a mill in the mid 1800’s and is now open to visitors as a park
operated by the Pat Harrison Waterway District.

The Chunky River is rich in heritage and was named for a Choctaw Indian game
called “Chanki” played with a round disc and sticks on the sandy flat banks of the
Chunky River. In addition to its historical and cultural importance, the Chunky
River is also known for its abundant natural resources.

A portion of the Chunky River from the joining of Chunky Creek and Tallasher
Creek and the Chunky River in Newton, Lauderdale, and Clarke counties to the
junction with the Chickasawhay River in Clarke County was designated as a
scenic river by the Mississippi Legislators in 2003. The river is part of the
statewide program for protection of the most scenic and least altered waterways
in Mississippi.