When beginning a long journey down the Mississippi River, paddlers are greeted by an iconic sign. It reads: Here 1475 ft above the ocean the Mighty Mississippi begins to flow on its winding way 2552 miles to the Gulf of Mexico. The problem with this sign: it’s incorrect.
Jean: terrific piece; thank you! Also so great to see you at Itasca b/c I remember the picture of you diving off the HoP tower at mile 0! My daughter, Sammi, and I finished our S2S the day before Thanksgiving 2021 after 100 days on the river.
Super article, Jean-Canot! I have wondered about this for years and the discrepancy has bothered me since my thru paddle. I knew some of it had to do with just the natural changing river (oxbows etc) but appreciate all this background. Way to put your inquiring mind to work👍
Wonderful to see an email from Canoe Rambler this morning! Thank you for a very informative and well written lesson about the Mighty Miss. The levees and cut offs are certainly being tested this spring.
Thanks - I am sharing this with Two Paddles - a group that will try to break the record for paddling the length pf the Mississippi - so your topic how long is the river is very appropriate and I THINK THEY WILL LOVE IT
You have turned into quite the writer. This is a very well-written and well-researched article. I hope you can do more than just post it on this blog, like maybe publish it in a history or geography journal.
J-C - thanks for an interesting and informative article on the length of the Mississippi! It’s nice to hear from The Canoe Rambler again.
Definitely brought a smile this morning! Much thanks!
What a treat to find this in my inbox!
Wonderfully written and informative. Thank you!!
River was highest I have seen in over 20 years on the river
It is 17 steps down to the river's edge and still drops more in summer time
but this year was up seven stairway steps - normal high is bottom of staircase
Jean: terrific piece; thank you! Also so great to see you at Itasca b/c I remember the picture of you diving off the HoP tower at mile 0! My daughter, Sammi, and I finished our S2S the day before Thanksgiving 2021 after 100 days on the river.
Super article, Jean-Canot! I have wondered about this for years and the discrepancy has bothered me since my thru paddle. I knew some of it had to do with just the natural changing river (oxbows etc) but appreciate all this background. Way to put your inquiring mind to work👍
Wonderful to see an email from Canoe Rambler this morning! Thank you for a very informative and well written lesson about the Mighty Miss. The levees and cut offs are certainly being tested this spring.
Thanks - I am sharing this with Two Paddles - a group that will try to break the record for paddling the length pf the Mississippi - so your topic how long is the river is very appropriate and I THINK THEY WILL LOVE IT
ROLAND RING-JARVI ANOKA,MN
WE MET YOU ON YOUR TRIP
You have turned into quite the writer. This is a very well-written and well-researched article. I hope you can do more than just post it on this blog, like maybe publish it in a history or geography journal.
River is very high here in Anoka, MN about 30 miles north of Minneapolis and St. Paul
Haven't seen it this high since 2001 - lots of water moving fast.