Looking at a map I am struck by the length of the Missouri River. From it's headwaters in SW Montana to St. Louis, it is much longer than the length of the Mississippi from it's source in Minnesota to St. Louis. Why then isn't the river below St. Louis called the Missouri since it looks like the upper Mississippi is a tributary? When rivers join is there a protocol to follow that determines which river flows into the other?

Mark

Perhaps because the Mississippi was named first. Or maybe because it has more water flowing. (Doesn't it? I not sure, but it appears so at the confluence.)

I don't think there's any sort of rational protocol in the first place.

The Missouri is 3969 km and the Mississippi is 3779 km.

I'm not sure how they work it out but it may be down to volume rather than length.

The river Teith is bigger (by volume) than the Forth, but nobody has ever heard of the Teith!

I guess the people who know are up to their Teith in the Forth.

My wife grew up in a small town in Missouri that sits next to the Missouri river. And I lived a few years in St. Louis, working downtown, with a view of the Mississippi river.

In comparison, the Mississippi is MUCH wider...

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Size is everything.

Volume or length?

The Missouri has its own set of navigational rules.

When it was first discovered people saw width, not length. Maps came later.

That makes sense.
Mark

the missouri i believe may be a less consistant flow than the mississippi. when it is in flood it is quite large but i think maybe the mississippe flows a more constant volumn and hence perhaps more water.

but the point about when it was 'discovered' and what was perceived may be the best clue.

it also also may be that the indians had already named them both when the europeans came.

tom w

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Yep. that's true. And like the later Europeans, they didn't have a map, either.

it has always amazed me that even as we anniliated the natives and their lifestyle many many places and rivers have retained their native american names til the present.

just got back from wyoming. while driving across wy and south dakota, i couldnt help trying to imagine a million or more buffalo all in one flowing thundring herd. it must have been awe inspiring.

and to think the whites killed off the buffalo just to eliminate the food supply for the free ranging indian warriors.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.