Top 3 Most Mysterious Legends On Mississippi River
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| Photo wikicommons |
Where is Mississippi River?
The Mississippi River is one of the world’s major river systems in size, habitat diversity and biological productivity. It is also one of the world's most important commercial waterways and one of North America's great migration routes for both birds and fishes.
The Mississippi River is the second longest river in North America, flowing 2,350 miles from its source at Lake Itasca through the center of the continental United States to the Gulf of Mexico. The Missouri River, a tributary of the Mississippi River, is about 100 miles longer. Some describe the Mississippi River as being the third longest river system in the world, if the length of Missouri and Ohio Rivers are added to the Mississippi's main stem.
| How did the Mississippi River get its name? The word Mississippi comes from Messipi, the French rendering of the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe or Algonquin) name for the river, Misi-ziibi (Great River). Where does the Mississippi River begin? The Mississippi River water source is fed by Lake Itasca in Northern Minnesota and flows all the way down into the Gulf of Mexico. What are the Mississippi River regions? The Mississippi River is best divided into three sections: The first is the Upper Mississippi, from its headwaters at Lake Itasca to the confluence with the Missouri River – cities that border this region include: Minneapolis, MN and Dubuque, IAThe Middle Mississippi flows downriver from the Missouri to the Ohio River, and passes by the Gateway Arch in Louis. And the Lower Mississippi begins at the Ohio River mark and stretches to the Gulf of Mexico. |
The Mississippi River Has Been Known To Run BackwardsThe Mississippi River has been known to reverse its direction. On the rare occasion this has happened, it is usually due to significant natural events in the area. The earliest known occurrence was in 1812 after a series of earthquakes in Missouri, but it's happened several times since then. Most recently, it reversed for 24 hours in 2012 as a consequence of Hurricane Issac. |
Most Mysterious Legends On Mississippi River
1. Mississippi Mermaid
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| Photo cauchuyenls |
To the southeast of the Mississippi River there is a small river named Pascagoula which is nearly 130km long. This river was once home to the Pascagoula Indians. The Mississippi River is known as the Singing River because, according to legend, mermaids are also known as "the singers of the Mississippi".
The Pascagoula River is the centerpiece of the largest unimpeded river system in the 48 contiguous states. It is legendary in the culture of the South as the "Singing River" of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
For hundreds of years, visitors and residents alike have described a mysterious humming sound that rises from the waters of the river.
Theories abound, but to date no one has explained the strange phenomenon.
READ MORE: 10 Longest and Most Beautiful Rivers in Australia
| Does the river really sing? The answer depends on who you ask. Skeptics say the tale is nothing but a folktale, but those who know the Pascagoula best say there is truth behind this Southern story. |
2.Mississippi Monsters
Mississippi monsters refer to the biggest fish living in the river.
The biggest fish in the Mississippi River is the Gulf sturgeon. Gulf sturgeons are a sub-species of the Atlantic sturgeon and can be found in both freshwater and saltwater, depending on the time of year. Gulf sturgeons look like armored tanks! They are covered in five “scutes,” which are bony plates that line their back. These giant fish can be 9 feet long and weigh up to 385lbs! That is about the same weight as an adult male gorilla! Can you imagine trying to reel one of those in? Now that would be quite the fish tale.
The alligator gar ranks the second and can get to be 9 feet long! Think about your average adult that is closer to 5.5-6 feet tall; that is almost twice that! Alligator gars are also heavy, with some getting to be more than 300lbs. Their head is the shape of an alligator head, and they are sometimes mistaken for alligators.
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| Mississippi River Monsters tournament. Photo: Catfishnow |
READ MORE: 10 Longest and Most Beautiful Rivers in Florida
3. UFOs on the Pascagoula River
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| Photo cauchuyenls |
There have been at least a few reported UFO sightings along the Mississippi River. Actor Clint Walker recalled seeing a UFO over the Mississippi in 1951 while traveling in Illinois.
Ron Quinn shared his friend Clint's story in his book, Mysterious Disappearances: And Other Strange Tales. Quinn writes that Clint "glanced off toward the river. Coming toward him, above the water, was a saucer shaped UFO. It was perhaps 25-feet across and dull silver in color." He observed it for a few seconds before it moved out of sight.
In 1973, in the area of Gautier, Mississippi, two men were fishing in the Pascagoula River when they saw a blue orb in the sky rushing towards them. They watched until the ball stopped, hovering over the water. When the orb stopped, it suddenly opened, and inside were several strange creatures.
Creatures were about 1.5m tall with bullet-shaped head and no neck. Mouth, ears and nose are just openings. A horn like a carrot protrudes from these creatures' heads. Their hands are full of claws. After walking around for a while, the creatures entered the sphere and flew up into the sky.
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