What river is called Big Muddy?

The Missouri's nickname, the Big Muddy, was inspired by its enormous loads of sediment or silt – some of the largest of any North American river. In its pre-development state, the riv- er transported some 175 to 320 million short tons (159 to 290 Mt) per year.



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Nicknamed the Big Muddy, the Missouri River has long been one of America's most important natural resources.

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Known today as Ol' Man River, The Big Muddy, Old Blue, The Gathering of Waters and other nicknames, the name “Mississippi” comes from either the Ojibwe or Algonquin word “misi-ziibi,” meaning Great River. The Mississippi River, beginning in Lake Itasca MN, runs 2,341 miles to the Gulf of Mexico.

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Stretches of the Mississippi River within the park corridor exceed water quality standards for mercury, bacteria, sediment, PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyl), and nutrients. Unfortunately, these impairments can make the water unsuitable for fishing, swimming, and drinking.

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