<P> The source of the Upper Mississippi branch is traditionally accepted as Lake Itasca , 1,475 feet ( 450 m ) above sea level in Itasca State Park in Clearwater County , Minnesota . The name `` Itasca '' was chosen to designate the `` true head '' of the Mississippi River as a combination of the last four letters of the Latin word for truth ( veritas ) and the first two letters of the Latin word for head ( caput ) . However , the lake is in turn fed by a number of smaller streams . </P>
<P> The source of the Upper Mississippi branch is traditionally accepted as Lake Itasca , 1,475 feet ( 450 m ) above sea level in Itasca State Park in Clearwater County , Minnesota . The name `` Itasca '' was chosen to designate the `` true head '' of the Mississippi River as a combination of the last four letters of the Latin word for truth ( veritas ) and the first two letters of the Latin word for head ( caput ) . However , the lake is in turn fed by a number of smaller streams . </P>
what is the starting point of the mississippi river
what is the starting point of the mississippi river
Lake Itasca
Lake Itasca