The Missouri River’s history is profoundly rich and immeasurably impactful on the development of the west and our entire country. We often focus on the history of the people who utilized, idolized, befriended and destroyed this boundless resource, but often overlook the basic facts of the river itself. This waterway was aptly and appropriately named by the people who inhabited its wide reach, for, to this day, one can not separate the people from this beloved river.
Name Origin
The name, Missouri, comes from the Indians that lived in the region near where the Osage River meets the Missouri River near present day Jefferson City, Montana. From the Siouan language the name was, “Ouemessorita”, (pronounced Oh-ma-sur-ray). These were the Missouri and Ottoe Indians. The name Ouemessorita – Missouri, literally means “people of the wooden canoe.” Later anglicized to be spelled and pronounced, Missouri.
The wooden canoes were dugouts made from the regional trees. Much different than the birchbark canoes used by the Indians on the Mississippi.
The first European explorers to ‘discover’ the river were French explorers, Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet, in May 1673.
Marquette called the river, “Pekitanoui”, (pronounced Peck-ah-tuh-new-we). This was from the Algonquian/Peoria Indians and means, Muddy Water.
Quick Facts
The Missouri wasformedabout30 million years ago. However, thepresent course was formedabout115,000 years agowhenstreamsfrom the Rocky Mountains were diverted byglaciers.
The Missouri River is the longest river in North America and the 4th longest in the world (when combined with the Mississippi River system).
It’s utmost source (defined by the longest flow of water at its furthest source to sea) originates at Brower’s Spring in the Centennial Mountains southeast of Dillon, Montana. This upper section form Hellroaring Creek (not the same one that’s in Yellowstone Park), Red Rock River, Beaverhead River and the Jefferson River.
The Missouri-proper starts where the Jefferson, Madison and Gallatin rivers join near Three Forks, Montana.
It flows 2,540 miles to where it joins the Mississippi River near St. Louis. From there, the water continues to the Gulf of Mexico, another 1300 miles. From source to sea, the total is nearly 3800 miles.
The river’sdrainage basinoccupies about 529,400 square miles (1,371,100 square km) of theGreat Plains, of which, 2,550 square miles (16,840 square km) are in southernCanada. The range of elevations within itsbasinis considerable: from some 14,000 feet (4,300 meters) above sea level in theColoradoRockies near theContinental Divideto 400 feet (120 meters) where it joins the Mississippi.
Over 95 significant tributaries and hundreds of smaller ones feed the Missouri River. Major tributaries to the Missouri River include Yellowstone River, Platte River, and Kansas River.
By discharge, the Missouri is the9th largest river of the United States, after the Mississippi,St. Lawrence,Ohio,Columbia, Niagara,Yukon, Detroit, and St. Clair.
The dams and their adjacent reservoirs located in North and South Dakota include: Garrison Dam - Lake Sakakawea (largest reservoir on the river), Oahe Dam - Lake Oahe, Big Bend Dam - Lake Sharpe, Fort Randall Dam - Lake Francis Case and Gavins Point Dam - Lewis and Clark Lake.
Do you have additional history nuggets or quick facts to add? Please email us with more - we love to learn more about our beloved river and share with the world!
