Tuesday Overnight Open Thread - October 13, 2026

Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

Howdy Hordelings! The Tuesday ONT has arrived. On time, as always. Open thread, as always. Ready to be whelmed?

Demonstrate absurdity by being absurd (as El Rushbo used to say)

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Looking for some clean river water? We've got you covered!

The Cleanest Rivers In America

Park Service crews pull water out of the Merced River in Yosemite and test it for bacteria, nutrients, and petroleum. They do the same in Glacier, on the North Fork of the Flathead. Idaho's regulators keep an eye on the Middle Fork of the Salmon. Maine checks the bugs living on the bottom of the Machias. Year after year, the results come back the same. These ten rivers are as clean as they look.

Far northern California gives the Smith River an unusually good water-quality record. A US Geological Survey assessment described its water as excellent and generally within objectives established for beneficial uses. California's 2026 Integrated Report adds a recent measure. Across 257 dissolved-oxygen samples in the Smith River estuary, none fell below the applicable warm-water habitat threshold.

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The Middle Fork Salmon spends roughly 100 miles inside the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, and Idaho's Department of Environmental Quality describes its watershed as essentially one of the most pristine in the state. The river was included in the original Wild and Scenic Rivers system in 1968. Federal management has kept development scarce along much of its corridor. A multi-day float can run for hours beneath steep canyon walls before reaching another developed site. Hot springs emerge beside parts of the route, while quiet beaches offer breaks between stretches of fast water. Idaho has approved temperature TMDLs for several tributaries where reduced streamside shade contributes to warming. The main river remains in much stronger condition. Few large American rivers combine this much protected land with so little settlement along the water itself, and the state's assessment reflects that advantage.

Hit the link for more

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Strangest foods in each state.

I have been to 40 of the 50 states, and I can buy a lot of these as accurate. However, I have lived in Maryland my whole life, and I have never heard of BBQ muskrat.

How accurate is your state?

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The Veep's got jokes

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DJ Doof - Born On This Date Edition

1948 - American singer, classically trained pianist, guitarist, John Ford Coley, from England Dan & John Ford Coley

1947 - American rock vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter Sammy Hagar.

1941 - American singer-songwriter and guitarist Paul Simon.

Tonight's ONT brought to you by Moron-like honesty

Due to TxMoMe-XI preparations, Doof Enterprises, LLC has enlisted a substitute for Thursday night's ONT. We are not responsible for the level of whelmage you may experience.

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posted by Doof at 09:55 PM

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