Salt River (Missouri)

The Salt River is a tributary of the Mississippi River in eastern Missouri in the United States. The river is approximately 55 miles (89 km) long and drains an area of 2,518 sq mi (6,520 km2) in parts of twelve Missouri counties.[4]

Salt River
Map showing major rivers in the state of Missouri. The Salt River is at the upper right near the Mississippi River.
Location
CountryUnited States
StateMissouri
Physical characteristics
SourceMark Twain Lake
 • locationFlorida, Monroe County
 • coordinates39°30′07″N 91°46′51″W[1]
 • elevation607 ft (185 m)
MouthMississippi River
 • location
Louisiana, Pike County
 • coordinates
39°28′00″N 91°03′48″W[1]
 • elevation
449 ft (137 m)
Length55 mi (89 km)
Basin size2,518 sq mi (6,520 km2)
Discharge 
 • locationNew London, MO[2]
 • average2,120 cu ft/s (60 m3/s)[3]
 • minimum9.5 cu ft/s (0.27 m3/s)
 • maximum107,000 cu ft/s (3,000 m3/s)

It rises at the confluence of the North, Middle, and South Forks in Monroe County.[5] Since Clarence Cannon Dam construction was completed in 1983, the first 15 miles of the Salt River after the confluence of the North, Middle, and South Fork have been contained in Mark Twain Lake. Below the dam, the river winds generally east for 63 miles through a rural valley surrounded by low bluffs. Below New London, it receives Spencer and Peno Creeks from the right. The Salt joins the Mississippi River at Ted Shanks Wildlife Conservation Area (River Mile 284) just one mile north of US Route 54 bridge in Louisiana in Pike County.[6][7]

The river was called "Ohaha" by the Native Americans that once lived along its course.[1] It was also known as "the river Jeffreon" in the 1804 Treaty of St. Louis. American author Mark Twain was born in the town of Florida on the Salt River in 1835.[8]

RiverLocationDischarge
North Fork Salt RiverShelbina255 cu/ft. per sec.[9]
Elk Fork Salt RiverParis202 cu/ft. per sec.[10]
Middle Fork Salt RiverParis457 cu/ft. per sec.[11]
South Fork Salt RiverSanta Fe313 cu/ft. per sec.[12]

See also

References
  1. "Salt River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. 1980-10-24. Retrieved 2012-01-20.
  2. "USGS Gage #05508000 on the Salt River near New London, MO: Water-Data Report 2011" (PDF). National Water Information System. U.S. Geological Survey. 1980–2011. Retrieved 2012-01-20.
  3. "USGS Gage #05508000 on the Salt River near New London, MO: Water-Data Report 2011" (PDF). National Water Information System. U.S. Geological Survey. 1980–2011. Retrieved 2012-01-20.
  4. "Salt River/Mark Twain Reservoir, Missouri" (PDF). CEAP Project Plan. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2005-02-07. Retrieved 2012-01-20.
  5. Missouri Department of Conservation. "Salt River - Geography". Archived from the original on 31 August 2013. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
  6. Missouri Atlas & Gazetteer, DeLorme, 1998, First edition, p. 33 ISBN 0-89933-224-2
  7. Louisiana, Missouri 7.5 Minute Topographic Quadrangle, USGS, 1978
  8. "Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site – General Information". Missouri State Parks. Retrieved 2012-01-20.
  9. Waterdata USGS
  10. Waterdata USGS
  11. Waterdata USGS
  12. Waterdata USGS


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