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Environment & Energy

erronis

(21,501 posts)

8. In addition to some other good explanations, there is the matter of old names established before known characteristics.

Reply to viva la (Reply #2)

Sat Oct 4, 2025, 01:57 PM

Saturday

Knowing the volume or length of a river 200+ years ago was an inexact science. Once a name is established it is very hard to change it.

I was taught that the Missouri River AND the Mississippi together made the longest flow. The Missouri flows into the Mississippi so perhaps the combined should be called something else.....

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John1956PA

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Highlight:

Something is wrong with Lake Itasca, the source of the Mississippi River [View all] NickB79 Saturday OP

Why don't they just follow Trump's train of reasoning and nuke the lake? John1956PA Saturday #1

Or sweep the forest. 2naSalit Saturday #3

The not so funny thing is Mblaze Saturday #7

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Yes, the tracing rivers upstream can be interesting. John1956PA Saturday #5

Ah! Then maybe it's just a more or less an arbitrary decision on the part of mapmakers. Mister Ed Saturday #6

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In addition to some other good explanations, there is the matter of old names established before known characteristics. erronis Saturday #8

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