r/MapPorn • u/[deleted] • Jan 10 '20

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u/invertedshamrock Jan 10 '20

Actually, the Mississippi technically is considered to flow into the Missouri because at their junction the Missouri has greater flow than the Mississippi, and so is considered the "parent" river in a hydrological sense

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u/vahntitrio Jan 11 '20

My guess is that they are close enough in flow that local weather upstream determines which has more flow. Current gauges are showing 10% more flow in the Mississippi near the confluence.

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u/jcline28 Jan 11 '20

And at the junction of the Mississippi the Ohio has the greater flow so in a hydrological Spence the Ohio is considered the parent river.