\VHITE RIVER, a large stream of the state of Missouri and territory of Arkansas, formed by the confluence of two streams, White river proper, and Black river. The following description is founded on the delineation on Tanner's Map U. S. White river proper rises in Washington county, Arkan sas, about 30 miles northeastward from the junc tion of Arkansas and Candian rivers; flowing thence about 60 miles to the northeastward it enters the country of the Delaware Indians in the southwestern angle of Missouri. Curving 'to east and southeast 40 miles it enters the territory of Arkansas, within which it pursues a course of S.E. by E. by com parative distance 120 miles, joins Black river in Independence county. In its entire comparative course of 220 miles, White river receives few tribu tary streams of any considerable length or volume.
The northwestern confluent, Black river, rises in Wayne county, Missouri, interlocking sources with those of Merrimac and St. Francis, flowing thence, by a general southern course, but an elliptical curve to the E., about 100 miles, unites with an eoual if not superior confluent, Current river. The latter rises also in Wayne county, Missouri, to the west ward of the sources of Black river, and interlocking sources with the Merrimac and Gasconade rivers. The general course, curves, and length of Current river is remarkably similar to similar phenomena in Black river. The now navigable Black river, assuming a southwestern course 15 miles, receives at Davidsonville, seat of justice for Lawrence coun ty, from the N.W. a large accumulation by the united streams of Eleven Points and Spring rivers. Below Davidsonville, Black river flows by compa rative courses 45 miles, entering in that distance Independence county, and joining White river be low the influx of Black river, is a little E. of S. by
comparative courses 120 miles to its influx into the Mississippi, receiving in the latter distance Red river from the west, and Cache river from the east.
Taken as a whole, the valley of White river lies between those of Arkansas to the S.W., St. Fran cis to the E. the southern sources of Osage river to the N. W., and those of Merrimac to the N. The form of this fine valley approaches that of a triangle, 270 miles base; from the mouth of White river to the sources of Black river 170 miles per pendicular; area 22,950 square miles; extending in Lat. from 33° 56' to 37° 40', and in Long. from 13° 20' to 17° 20' W. from NV. C. Rising in a moun tainous region, the valley of White river exhibits every variety of soil, from the barren rock, and almost equally sterile prairie, to the rich, but annu ally submerged alluvion towards the Arkansas and Mississippi rivers. The White and Arkansas have their respective points of discharge within ten or twelve miles of each other, and are also connected by interlocking, and in seasons of high water, navigable streams, many miles above their mouths.
White river is navigable by both its great branches far above their junction. It is, however, an example of a stream greatly overrated, by esti mating its length from the partial windings, in place of by the general comparative distances along the valleys. By that of White river proper, the valley is 340, and by Black river 280 miles long, pursuing the great curves of the rivers.