[2] It is a tributary of the Pearl River,[3] which flows to the Gulf of Mexico.
The stream headwaters arise in the Bienville National Forest in Scott County, about 6 miles (10 km) west of Forest at 32°23′08″N 89°35′04″W / 32.38556°N 89.58444°W / 32.38556; -89.58444[2] and at an elevation of about 465 feet.
[4] and flows generally to the southwest through Smith, Rankin and Simpson counties, past the town of D'Lo.
[3] It flows into the Pearl River 2 miles (3 km) southeast of Georgetown at 31°50′59″N 90°08′09″W / 31.84972°N 90.13583°W / 31.84972; -90.13583 at an elevation of 197 feet.
[2] The Strong River takes its name from the English translation of the Choctaw words boke or boge homi, which means "bitter creek" or "strong tasting creek", a result of the tannic acid dissolved in the water by decomposing leaves.