Mississippi, Missouri or Big Muddy

Iowa is bordered by the Mississippi River to the east and the Missouri River to the
west. But why does the Missouri become the Mississippi River as they both flow
downstream? Shouldn’t the name Missouri really carry forward to the Gulf, or at
least until it meets the Ohio River?
The Council Bluffs Public Library will be hosting Dean Klinkenberg on Thursday, July
25th, at 6:30 p.m, as he presents “Mississippi, Missouri, or Big Muddy: What’s in a
Name?” Learn how we named (and have tried to rename) our rivers and why it
matters. Klinkenberg will also answer the question about what name should be used
for the river that flows through St. Louis to the Gulf of Mexico.
Dean Klinkenberg, from St. Louis, MO, is an author who has been writing about life
along the Mississippi River, both past and present, since 2007. He also hosts the
Mississippi Valley Traveler podcast, where he shares stories about the river and the
Midwest. Klinkenberg has written a mystery series featuring his character, Frank
Dodge, as well as a book on disasters and tragedies along the river titled “Mississippi
River Mayhem.” Additionally, he has authored a guidebook called “The Mighty
Mississippi: A State-by-State Guide to the River’s Natural Wonders.” His books will
be available for purchase at the event.