List of longest rivers of the United States (by main stem)

The Mississippi drainage basin includes the two longest main-stem rivers in the U.S. (the Missouri and the Mississippi) as well as 18 more of the rivers on this list.
The Mississippi drainage basin includes the Missouri and the Mississippi rivers, the two longest main-stem rivers in the United States, as well as 18 more of the rivers on this list. The Mississippi main stem is highlighted in dark blue.
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The longest rivers of the United States include 38 that have main stems of at least 500 miles (800 km) long. The main stem is "the primary downstream segment of a river, as contrasted to its tributaries".[1] The United States Geological Survey (USGS) defines a main-stem segment by listing coordinates for its two end points, called the source and the mouth. Some well-known rivers like the Atchafalaya,[2] Willamette,[3] and Susquehanna[4] are not included in this list because their main stems are shorter than 500 miles.

Seven rivers in this list cross or form international boundaries. Three—the Milk River, the Red River of the North, and the Saint Lawrence River—begin in the United States and flow into Canada; two do the opposite (Yukon and Columbia). Also a segment of the Saint Lawrence River forms the international border between part of the province of Ontario, Canada, and the U.S. state of New York. Of these seven rivers, only the Milk River crosses the international border twice, leaving and then re-entering the United States.[5] Two rivers, the Colorado and the Rio Grande, begin in the United States and flow into or form a border with Mexico.[5] In addition, the drainage basins of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers extend into Canada,[6][7] and the basin of the Gila River extends into Mexico.[8]

Sources report hydrological quantities with varied precision. Biologist and author Ruth Patrick, describing a table of high-discharge U.S. rivers, wrote that data on discharge, drainage area, and length varied widely among authors whose works she consulted. "It seems," she said, "that the wisest course is to regard data tables such as the present one as showing the general ranks of rivers, and not to place too much importance on minor (10–20%) differences in figures."[9]

Table

[edit]

The primary source for watershed and discharge data in the table below is Rivers of North America. Conflicting data from other sources, if the difference is greater than 10 percent, is reported in the notes. Discharge refers to the flow at the mouth.[n 1] In the "States, provinces, and image" column, the superscripts "s" and "m" indicate "source" and "mouth". Non-U.S. states appear in italics. Except in the "States, provinces, and image" column, abbreviations are as follows: "km" for "kilometer", "mi" for "mile", "s" for "second", "m" for "meter", and "ft" for "foot".

Key
† River is not entirely within the United States.
‡ Watershed is not entirely within the United States.
Longest main-stem rivers of the United States
# Name Length States, provinces, and map[5][11] Source
coordinates[11] 		Mouth[5] Mouth
coordinates[11] 		Watershed
area[12] 		Discharge[12] Photo
1 Missouri River 2,341 mi
3,768 km[13] 		Montanas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missourim
Map of the Missouri River and its tributaries in North America
 45°55′39″N 111°30′29″W / 45.92750°N 111.50806°W / 45.92750; -111.50806 (Missouri River (source))[14] Mississippi River 38°48′49″N 90°07′11″W / 38.81361°N 90.11972°W / 38.81361; -90.11972 (Missouri River (mouth)) 529,353 mi2
1,371,017 km2[15]
‡[n 2] 		69,100 ft3/s
1,956 m3/s
[n 3]
The Missouri River as seen in Montana.
2 Mississippi River 2,340mi
3,766 km[17]
[n 4] 		Minnesotas, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisianam
Mississippi River basin
 47°14′22″N 95°12′29″W / 47.23944°N 95.20806°W / 47.23944; -95.20806 (Mississippi River (source))[18] Gulf of Mexico 29°09′04″N 89°15′12″W / 29.15111°N 89.25333°W / 29.15111; -89.25333 (Mississippi River (mouth)) 1,260,000 mi2
3,270,000 km2[19]
‡[n 5] 		650,000 ft3/s
18,400 m3/s
A small river flows from a lake.
3 Yukon River 1,979 mi
3,190 km[6]
†[n 6] 		British Columbias, Yukon Territory, Alaskam
Map of the Yukon River Watershed
 59°35′00″N 133°47′00″W / 59.58333°N 133.78333°W / 59.58333; -133.78333 (Yukon River (source))[20] Bering Sea 62°35′55″N 164°48′00″W / 62.59861°N 164.80000°W / 62.59861; -164.80000 (Yukon River (mouth))[21] 324,000 mi2
839,200 km2[22]
‡[n 7] 		224,000 ft3/s
6,340 m3/s
Sunset over a large river flowing through mountains.
4 Rio Grande 1,759 mi
2,830 km[23]
†[n 8] 		Colorados, New Mexico, Texasm, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, Tamaulipasm
Map of the Rio Grande drainage basin
 37°47′52″N 107°32′18″W / 37.79778°N 107.53833°W / 37.79778; -107.53833 (Rio Grande (source))[25] Gulf of Mexico 25°57′22″N 97°08′43″W / 25.95611°N 97.14528°W / 25.95611; -97.14528 (Rio Grande (mouth)) 340,000 mi2
870,000 km2[26]
‡[n 9] 		1,300 ft3/s
37 m3/s
A small river winds through mountains under a rainbow.
5 Colorado River 1,450 mi
2,330 km[16]
†[n 10] 		Colorados, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, California, Sonoram, Baja Californiam
Map of the Colorado River basin
 40°28′20″N 105°49′34″W / 40.47222°N 105.82611°W / 40.47222; -105.82611 (Colorado River (source))[29] Gulf of California 31°48′57″N 114°48′22″W / 31.81583°N 114.80611°W / 31.81583; -114.80611 (Colorado River (mouth))[30] 248,000 mi2
642,000 km2[10]
‡[n 11] 		1,400 ft3/s
40 m3/s
A large river flows through a deep canyon.
6 Arkansas River 1,443 mi
2,322 km
[n 12] 		Colorados, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansasm
The Arkansas River flows through Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, and its watershed also drains parts of Texas, New Mexico and Missouri.
 39°15′30″N 106°20′38″W / 39.25833°N 106.34389°W / 39.25833; -106.34389 (Arkansas River (source))[32] Mississippi River 33°46′30″N 91°04′15″W / 33.77500°N 91.07083°W / 33.77500; -91.07083 (Arkansas River (mouth)) 160,200 mi2
414,910 km2[33] 		35,500 ft3/s
1,004 m3/s
Arkansas River headwaters in Colorado.
7 Columbia River 1,243 mi[6]
2,000 km
†[n 13] 		British Columbias, Washingtonm, Oregonm
Map of the Columbia River drainage basin
 50°13′00″N 115°51′00″W / 50.21667°N 115.85000°W / 50.21667; -115.85000 (Columbia River (source))[34] Pacific Ocean 46°14′39″N 124°03′29″W / 46.24417°N 124.05806°W / 46.24417; -124.05806 (Columbia River (mouth))[35] 279,548 mi2
724,024 km2[36]
‡[n 14] 		273,000 ft3/s
7,730 m3/s
A large river flows through a wooded gorge.
8 Red River 1,125 mi
1,811 km
[n 15] 		Oklahomas, Texas, Arkansas, Louisianam
Map of the Red River watershed
 34°34′35″N 99°57′54″W / 34.57639°N 99.96500°W / 34.57639; -99.96500 (Red River (source))[40] Atchafalaya and Mississippi rivers 31°01′10″N 91°44′52″W / 31.01944°N 91.74778°W / 31.01944; -91.74778 (Red River (mouth)) 65,590 mi2
169,890 km2[41]
[n 16] 		30,100 ft3/s
852 m3/s
[n 17]
Oxbow bend in a river seen from an airplane.
9 Snake River 1,040 mi
1,674 km[16] 		Wyomings, Idaho, Oregon, Washingtonm
Map of the Snake River watershed
 44°07′49″N 110°13′10″W / 44.13028°N 110.21944°W / 44.13028; -110.21944 (Snake River (source))[42] Columbia River 46°11′10″N 119°01′43″W / 46.18611°N 119.02861°W / 46.18611; -119.02861 (Snake River (mouth)) 108,000 mi2
281,000 km2[43] 		55,300 ft3/s
1,565 m3/s
A river winds across a plain at the foot of jagged snow-covered mountains.
10 Ohio River 979 mi
1,575 km[44] 		Pennsylvanias, Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana, Illinois, Kentuckym
Map of the Ohio River basin
 40°26′34″N 80°01′02″W / 40.44278°N 80.01722°W / 40.44278; -80.01722 (Ohio River (source))[45] Mississippi River 36°59′12″N 89°07′50″W / 36.98667°N 89.13056°W / 36.98667; -89.13056 (Ohio River (mouth)) 204,000 mi2
529,000 km2[46] 		308,400 ft3/s
8,733 m3/s
Modest skyscrapers, their images reflected in the water, line the bank of a wide placid river.
11 Colorado River of Texas 970 mi
1,560 km[47] 		Texass, m
Map of the Colorado River and associated watershed
 32°40′47″N 101°43′51″W / 32.67972°N 101.73083°W / 32.67972; -101.73083 (Colorado River of Texas (source)))[48] Gulf of Mexico 28°35′41″N 95°58′59″W / 28.59472°N 95.98306°W / 28.59472; -95.98306 (Colorado River of Texas (mouth)) 39,900 mi2
103,341 km2[49] 		2,600 ft3/s
75 m3/s
A small stream flows through an arid plain populated with low shrubs. Much of the surrounding soil is red.
12 Tennessee River 935 mi
1,504 km[50] 		Tennessees, Alabama, Mississippi, Kentuckym
Map of the Tennessee River watershed
 35°57′33″N 83°51′01″W / 35.95917°N 83.85028°W / 35.95917; -83.85028 (Tennessee River (source))[51] Ohio River 37°04′02″N 88°33′53″W / 37.06722°N 88.56472°W / 37.06722; -88.56472 (Tennessee River (mouth)) 40,880 mi2
105,870 km2[52] 		71,000 ft3/s
2,000 m3/s
The Tennessee River flowing through the Tennessee River Gorge.
13 Canadian River 906 mi
1,458 km[16] 		Colorados, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahomam
Canadian River watershed (yellow) within the Arkansas River watershed
 37°01′11″N 105°04′33″W / 37.01972°N 105.07583°W / 37.01972; -105.07583 (Canadian River (source))[53] Arkansas River 35°27′12″N 95°01′58″W / 35.45333°N 95.03278°W / 35.45333; -95.03278 (Canadian River (mouth)) 47,130 mi2
122,070 km2[54] 		6,100 ft3/s
174 m3/s
A small stream in arid country flows under a railroad bridge high above the water.
14 Brazos River 860 mi
1,390 km[55] 		Texass, m
Map of the Brazos River watershed
 33°16′07″N 100°00′37″W / 33.26861°N 100.01028°W / 33.26861; -100.01028 (Brazos River (source))[56] Gulf of Mexico 28°52′33″N 95°22′42″W / 28.87583°N 95.37833°W / 28.87583; -95.37833 (Brazos River (mouth)) 44,620 mi2
115,566 km2[57] 		8,800 ft3/s
249 m3/s
A train crosses a bridge over a wide river.
15 Green River 760 mi
1,230 km[58] 		Wyomings, Colorado, Utahm
Map of the Green River watershed
 43°09′13″N 109°40′18″W / 43.15361°N 109.67167°W / 43.15361; -109.67167 (Green River (source))[59] Colorado River 38°11′21″N 109°53′07″W / 38.18917°N 109.88528°W / 38.18917; -109.88528 (Green River (mouth)) 44,900 mi2
116,200 km2[60] 		6,100 ft3/s
172 m3/s
View from an airplane: A river meanders this way and that through a reddish-brown landscape.
16 Pecos River 730 mi
1,175 km[61] 		New Mexicos, Texasm
Map of the Pecos River watershed.
 35°58′34″N 105°33′29″W / 35.97611°N 105.55806°W / 35.97611; -105.55806 (Pecos River (source))[62] Rio Grande 29°41′59″N 101°22′17″W / 29.69972°N 101.37139°W / 29.69972; -101.37139 (Pecos River (mouth)) 44,000 mi2
113,960 km2[63] 		71 ft3/s
2 m3/s
A large river flows through a canyon.
17 White River (Arkansas) 720 mi
1,159 km[64] 		Arkansass, m, Missouri
Map of the White River watershed
 35°50′20″N 93°36′16″W / 35.83889°N 93.60444°W / 35.83889; -93.60444 (White River (source))[65] Mississippi River 33°57′05″N 91°04′53″W / 33.95139°N 91.08139°W / 33.95139; -91.08139 (White River (mouth)) 27,872 mi2
72,189 km2[66] 		34,600 ft3/s
979 m3/s
A wide placid river flows by a low wooded hill.
18 James River
[n 18] 		710 mi
1,140 km[67] 		North Dakotas, South Dakotam
The course and watershed of the James River.
 47°28′53″N 99°51′32″W / 47.48139°N 99.85889°W / 47.48139; -99.85889 (James River (source))[68] Missouri River 42°52′17″N 97°17′26″W / 42.87139°N 97.29056°W / 42.87139; -97.29056 (James River (mouth)) 20,942 mi2
54,240 km2[69] 		854 ft3/s
24.2 m3/s[69]
[n 19]
A small stream winds through a town.
19 Kuskokwim River 702 mi
1,130 km[70] 		Alaskas, m
Watershed of the Kuskokwim River in Alaska
 63°05′16″N 154°38′33″W / 63.08778°N 154.64250°W / 63.08778; -154.64250 (Kuskokwim River (source))[71] Bering Sea 60°04′59″N 162°20′02″W / 60.08306°N 162.33389°W / 60.08306; -162.33389 (Kuskokwim River (mouth)) 48,000 mi2
124,319 km2[72] 		67,000 ft3s
1,900 m3/s
Men and boats along the shore of a very wide river.
20 Cimarron River 698 mi
1,123 km[73] 		Oklahomas, m, Colorado, Kansas
Map of the Arkansas River basin with the Cimarron River highlighted.
 36°54′24″N 102°59′12″W / 36.90667°N 102.98667°W / 36.90667; -102.98667 ("Cimarron River (source))[74] Arkansas River 36°10′14″N 96°16′19″W / 36.17056°N 96.27194°W / 36.17056; -96.27194 (Cimarron River (mouth)) 19,510 mi2
50,540 km2[75] 		1,500 ft3/s
42 m3/s
A medium-sized river winds through a flat plain dominated by brown grasses.
21 Cumberland River 696 mi
1,120 km[76] 		Kentuckys, m, Tennessee
Map of the Cumberland River Watershed
 36°50′42″N 83°19′26″W / 36.84500°N 83.32389°W / 36.84500; -83.32389 (Cumberland River (source))[77] Ohio River 37°08′36″N 88°24′27″W / 37.14333°N 88.40750°W / 37.14333; -88.40750 (Cumberland River (mouth)) 17,930 mi2
46,430 km2[78] 		30,400 ft3/s

862 m3/s

Several canoes pass under a bridge over a wide river in a forest.
22 Yellowstone River 678 mi
1,091 km[79] 		Wyomings, Montana, North Dakotam
Map of the Yellowstone River watershed
 43°59′18″N 109°55′45″W / 43.98833°N 109.92917°W / 43.98833; -109.92917 (Yellowstone River (source))[80] Missouri River 47°58′42″N 103°58′56″W / 47.97833°N 103.98222°W / 47.97833; -103.98222 (Yellowstone River (mouth)) 70,400 mi2
182,336 km2[81] 		12,800 ft3/s
362 m3/s
Large waterfall encased in ice.
23 North Platte River 665 mi
1,070 km[82] 		Colorados, Wyoming, Nebraskam
North Platte River watershed and course
 40°38′23″N 106°24′19″W / 40.63972°N 106.40528°W / 40.63972; -106.40528 (North Platte River (source))[83] Platte River 41°06′50″N 100°40′33″W / 41.11389°N 100.67583°W / 41.11389; -100.67583 (North Platte River (mouth)) 34,885 mi2
90,352 km2[82] 		770 ft3/s
21.9 m3/s
Canoers run rapids on a boulder-strewn river in the mountains.
24 Milk River 625 mi
1,005 km[6]†[n 20] 		Alberta, Montanas, m
The Milk River watershed
 48°51′20″N 113°01′10″W / 48.85556°N 113.01944°W / 48.85556; -113.01944 (Milk River (source))[85] Missouri River 48°03′26″N 106°19′07″W / 48.05722°N 106.31861°W / 48.05722; -106.31861 (Milk River (mouth)) 22,332 mi2
57,839 km2[86]
‡[n 21] 		670 ft3/s
18.9 m3/s
Sandstones of the Milk River Formation flank the Milk river at Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park, Alberta.
25 Ouachita River 605 mi
974 km[87] 		Arkansass, Louisianam
Map of the Ouachita River watershed. The Ouachita joins the Tensas River near Jonesville, Louisiana to form the Black River (Louisiana).
 31°41′56″N 94°19′57″W / 31.69889°N 94.33250°W / 31.69889; -94.33250 (Ouachita River (source))[88] Black River 31°37′53″N 91°48′25″W / 31.63139°N 91.80694°W / 31.63139; -91.80694 (Ouachita River (mouth)) 24,886 mi2
64,454 km2[89] 		29,800 ft3/s
843 m3/s
A lock and dam on a medium-sized river
26 St. Lawrence River 600 mi
965 km[90]
†[n 22] 		New Yorks, Ontarios, Quebecm
Map of the St. Lawrence/Great Lakes Watershed
 44°05′55″N 76°23′28″W / 44.09861°N 76.39111°W / 44.09861; -76.39111 (St. Lawrence River (source))[92] Gulf of St. Lawrence 49°40′00″N 64°30′00″W / 49.66667°N 64.50000°W / 49.66667; -64.50000 (Saint Lawrence River (mouth))[93] 620,000 mi2
1,600,000 km2[94]
‡[n 23] 		440,000 ft3/s
12,600 m3/s
[n 24]
A large ship travels along a large river bordered by vegetation on one bank and urban development on the other.
27 Gila River 600 mi
960 km[95] 		New Mexicos, Arizonam
Map of the Gila River watershed
 33°10′47″N 108°12′22″W / 33.17972°N 108.20611°W / 33.17972; -108.20611 (Gila River (source))[96] Colorado River 32°43′11″N 114°33′19″W / 32.71972°N 114.55528°W / 32.71972; -114.55528 (Gila River (mouth)) 57,850 mi2
149,832 km2[97]
‡[n 25] 		210 ft3/s
6 m3/s
[n 26]
A shallow river with a sandy bed flows through an arid landscape.
28 Sheyenne River 591 mi
951 km[98] 		North Dakotas, m
Map of the Red River drainage basin, with the Sheyenne River highlighted
 47°41′46″N 100°29′52″W / 47.69611°N 100.49778°W / 47.69611; -100.49778 (Sheyenne River (source))[99] Red River of the North 47°01′25″N 96°49′31″W / 47.02361°N 96.82528°W / 47.02361; -96.82528 (Sheyenne River (mouth)) 8,800 mi2
23,000 km2
[n 27] 		288 ft3/s
8.2 m3/s
[n 28]
A small river rushes away from the base of a dam.
29 Tanana River 584 mi
940 km
[n 29] 		Alaskas, m
Course of the Tanana River, formed by the shorter Nabesna River (left) and Chisana River (right), then flowing northwest to meet the Yukon River
 63°02′57″N 141°51′52″W / 63.04917°N 141.86444°W / 63.04917; -141.86444 (Tanana River (source))[103] Yukon River 65°09′38″N 151°57′37″W / 65.16056°N 151.96028°W / 65.16056; -151.96028 (Tanana River (mouth)) 44,000 mi2
114,000 km2[104] 		41,800 ft3/s
1,185 m3/s
A shallow braided river flows over a plain partly covered by green plants and grasses. Jagged snow-covered mountains rise in the distance.
30 Smoky Hill River 576 mi
927 km[98] 		Colorados, Kansasm
Map of the Smoky Hill drainage basin
 38°57′01″N 102°34′49″W / 38.95028°N 102.58028°W / 38.95028; -102.58028 (Smoky Hill River (source))[105] Kansas River 39°03′36″N 96°48′04″W / 39.06000°N 96.80111°W / 39.06000; -96.80111 (Smoky Hill (mouth)) 19,260 mi2
49,900 km2
[n 30] 		1,542 ft3/s
43.7 m3/s
[n 31]
A small, muddy river, as seen from a bridge, meanders between tree-lined banks.
31 Niobrara River 568 mi
914 km[98] 		Wyomings, Nebraskam
Map of the Niobrara River (light blue)
 42°49′15″N 104°38′50″W / 42.82083°N 104.64722°W / 42.82083; -104.64722 (Niobrara River (source))[107] Missouri River 42°45′58″N 98°02′50″W / 42.76611°N 98.04722°W / 42.76611; -98.04722 (Niobrara River (mouth)) 12,600 mi2
32,600 km2[108] 		1,700 ft3/s
49 m3/s
A small river flows through a field of grass and yellow flowers.
A small river flows through a field of grass and yellow flowers.
32 Little Missouri River 560 mi
900 km[109] 		Wyomings, Montana, South Dakota, North Dakotam
Little Missouri watershed
 44°32′25″N 104°59′57″W / 44.54028°N 104.99917°W / 44.54028; -104.99917 ("Little Missouri River (source))[110] Missouri River 47°36′38″N 102°52′24″W / 47.61056°N 102.87333°W / 47.61056; -102.87333 (Little Missouri River (mouth)) 8,310 mi2
21,500 km2[111]
[n 32] 		450 ft3/s
13 m3/s[111]
[n 33]
A small river meanders through a landscape of forests, bluffs, and rocky outcrops.
33 Sabine River 553 mi
890 km[112] 		Texass, Louisianam
Sabine River (right) and Neches River (left)
 32°48′29″N 95°55′14″W / 32.80806°N 95.92056°W / 32.80806; -95.92056 (Sabine River (source))[113] Gulf of Mexico 29°59′08″N 93°47′26″W / 29.98556°N 93.79056°W / 29.98556; -93.79056 (Sabine River (mouth)) 9,756 mi2
25,268 km2[114] 		8,400 ft3/s
238 m3/s
A wide river flows under a highway bridge.
34 Red River of the North 550 mi
890 km[115]
†[n 34] 		North Dakotas, Minnesotas, Manitobam
Map of the Red River of the North
 46°15′52″N 96°35′55″W / 46.26444°N 96.59861°W / 46.26444; -96.59861 (Red River of the North (source))[117] Lake Winnipeg 50°23′47″N 96°48′39″W / 50.39639°N 96.81083°W / 50.39639; -96.81083 (Red River (mouth))[118] 111,000 mi2
287,500 km2[119]
‡[n 35] 		8,300 ft3/s
236 m3/s
A small river flows through a prairie landscape; brown grasses and leafless trees line the banks.
35 Des Moines River 525 mi
845 km[120] 		Minnesotas, Missouri, Iowam
The Des Moines River watershed
 44°05′02″N 95°41′17″W / 44.08389°N 95.68806°W / 44.08389; -95.68806 (Des Moines (source))[121] Mississippi River 41°22′52″N 91°25′21″W / 41.38111°N 91.42250°W / 41.38111; -91.42250 (Des Moines River (mouth)) 12,018 mi2
31,127 km2[122] 		6,400 ft3/s
182 m3/s
A placid river flows through a prairie landscape.
36 White River (Missouri River) 506 mi
815 km[123] 		Nebraskas, South Dakotam
Map of the White River watershed
 42°41′10″N 103°50′14″W / 42.68611°N 103.83722°W / 42.68611; -103.83722 (White River (source))[124] Missouri River 43°42′50″N 99°28′01″W / 43.71389°N 99.46694°W / 43.71389; -99.46694 (White River (mouth)) 10,200 mi2
26,418 km2[125] 		570 ft3/s
16 m3/s
A small stream flows through grasses and shrubs at the base of a rocky hill.
37 Trinity River 506 mi
815 km[126] 		Texass, m
Map of the Trinity River and its watershed
 32°47′54″N 96°53′52″W / 32.79833°N 96.89778°W / 32.79833; -96.89778 (Trinity River (source))[127] Galveston Bay 29°44′35″N 94°42′12″W / 29.74306°N 94.70333°W / 29.74306; -94.70333 (Trinity River (mouth)) 17,970 mi2
46,540 km2[128] 		7,800 ft3/s
222 m3/s
A middle-sized river flows by a factory with two tall smokestacks.
38 Wabash River 503 mi
810 km[98] 		Ohios, Indianam, Illinoism
Map of the Wabash River catchment with the Wabash River highlighted.
 40°21′07″N 84°45′57″W / 40.35194°N 84.76583°W / 40.35194; -84.76583 (Wabash River (source))[129] Ohio River 37°47′53″N 88°01′38″W / 37.79806°N 88.02722°W / 37.79806; -88.02722 (Wabash River (mouth)) 32,950 mi2
85,340 km2[130] 		1,001 ft3/s
28 m3/s
A middle-sized river with sandy and grassy banks flows under a bridge.

Map

[edit]
Map of North America showing all rivers on this list.

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Dams, diversions for agriculture, and other human alterations to rivers have greatly affected the discharge of some rivers over time. For example, the virgin discharge of the Colorado River is estimated to have been 20,000 ft3/s (566 m3/s) compared to 1,400 ft3/s (~40 m3/s) in 2005.[10]
  2. ^ Of the total, 10,700 mi2 (28,000 km2), about two percent of the basin, is in Canada.[6][7]
  3. ^ Kammerer: 76,200 ft3/s (2,160 m3/s).[16]
  4. ^ Kammerer: 2,340 mi (3,766 km).[16] The Atlas of Canada: 2,348 mi (3,779 km).[6]
  5. ^ Of the total, 10,700 mi2 (27,800 km2), less than one percent of the basin, is in Canada.[6][7]
  6. ^ Of this total, 714 mi (1,149 km) are in Canada. This amounts to about 36 percent of the main-stem length.[6]
  7. ^ The Atlas of Canada also lists the total basin size at 324,000 mi2 (839,200 km2), split between 125,000 mi2 (323,800 km2), about 39 percent, in Canada and 199,000 mi2 (515,400 km2), about 61 percent, in the United States.[6]
  8. ^ Kammerer: 1,900 mi (3,100 km).[16] University of Texas (UT): 1,799 mi (2,895 km).[24] The river forms the U.S.–Mexico border for 1.251 mi (2,013 km) (about 70 percent of its main-stem length) from El Paso to the Gulf of Mexico.[24]
  9. ^ Rivers of North America says that of this total only about 170,000 mi2 (450,000 km2) of the basin contribute water to the river.[26] The University of Texas (UT) says, "The river collects rain, snowmelt and spring water from an area [of] about 215,338 mi2 [557,722 km2] including closed basins."[24] It says that 87,020 mi2 (225,380 km2) of the basin (about 48 percent), not counting closed basins, are in Mexico, while 93,821 mi2 (242,994 km2) (about 52 percent) are in the United States.[24] Kammerer cites a total basin size of 336,000 mi2 (870,000 km2).[16]
  10. ^ According to the Utah Division of Water Resources, 75 mi (121 km) of the river are in Mexico. This amounts to about 5 percent of the main-stem length.[27] Of this, 17 mi (27 km) form the border between Mexico and the United States.[28]
  11. ^ The United Nations Environment Programme cites a total basin size of 246,000 mi2 (637,000 km2), split between 2,000 mi2 (5,200 km2) (about 1 percent) in Mexico and 244,000 mi2 (632,000 km2) (about 99 percent) in the United States.[28]
  12. ^ Derived by subtracting the length of the East Fork Arkansas River of roughly 16 mi (26 km)[31] from Kammerer's total of 1,459 mi (2,348 km).[16]
  13. ^ About 498 mi (801 km) are in Canada.[6] This amounts to about 40 percent of the main-stem length.
  14. ^ The Atlas of Canada lists the total watershed at 259,200 mi2 (671,300 km2), split between 39,700 mi2 (102,800 km2) (about 15 percent) in Canada and 219,500 mi2 (568,500 km2) (about 85 percent) in the United States.[6] Kammerer's figure for the total watershed is 265,000 mi2 (690,000 km2).[16]
  15. ^ This is the combined length, 1,360 mi (2,190 km),[37] of the main stem, Prairie Dog Town Fork Red River, and Tierra Blanca Creek minus the lengths of the latter two, 160 mi (260 km)[38] and 75 mi (121 km).[39] Kammerer gives the length as 1,290 mi (2,080 km).[16]
  16. ^ Kammerer: 93,200 mi2.[16]
  17. ^ Kammerer: 56,000 ft3/s (1,600 m3)[16]
  18. ^ Also known as the Dakota River or Jim River and not to be confused with the James River of Virginia.
  19. ^ This is the average discharge for the years 1982–94, derived by adding the discharge for each of these years and dividing by 13.
  20. ^ According to The Canadian Encyclopedia, a 110-mi (170 km) stretch of the river flows through Canada. This amounts to about 18 percent of the main-stem length.[84]
  21. ^ The Atlas of Canada: 23,600 mi2 (61,200 km2) split between 8,300 mi2 (21,600 km2) (about 35 percent) in Canada and 15,300 mi2 (39,600 km2) (about 65 percent) in the United States.[6]
  22. ^ According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, a 115-mi (185 km) stretch of the river forms part of the U.S.–Canada border. This amounts to about 19 percent of the main-stem length.[91]
  23. ^ Kammerer: 396,000 mi2 (1,030,000 km2).[16] The Atlas of Canada: 519,000 mi2 (1,344,200 km2), of which 324,000 mi2 (839,200 km2) (about 62 percent) is in Canada and 195,000 mi2 (505,000 km2) (about 38 percent) is in the United States.[6]
  24. ^ Kammerer: 348,000 ft3/s (9,900 m3/s).[16]
  25. ^ Of this total, 232 mi2 (600 km2) (about 0.4 percent) are in the Mexican state of Sonora, and the rest is in the United States.[8]
  26. ^ Rivers of North America describes the discharge as less than 210 ft3/s (6 m3/s.
  27. ^ This is the size of the basin upstream of a stream gauge near Kindred and at river mile 67.9 (river kilometer 109.3).[100]
  28. ^ This is the average flow measured by a stream gauge near Kindred and at river mile 67.9 (river kilometer 109.3).[100]
  29. ^ The main-stem length is calculated by subtracting the length of the Nabesna River from Kammerer's total of 659 mi (1,061 km).[16] The Nabesna River is roughly 75 mi (121 km) long, calculated by adding the 60 mi (97 km) from the Nabesna mouth to Camp Creek[101] to the distance, 15 mi (24 km), from Camp Creek to Nabesna Glacier,[102] Kammerer's most remote source for the Tanana.
  30. ^ Reflects only that part of the basin above a stream gauge at river mile 43.3 (river kilometer 69.7) near Enterprise.[106]
  31. ^ Measured by a stream gauge at river mile 43.3 (river kilometer 69.7) near Enterprise.[106]
  32. ^ This is only a close approximation of the entire basin. It does not include a small fraction of the basin below the river gauge, located about 25 mi (40 km) upstream of the river mouth.
  33. ^ This is the average discharge for the years 1990–2010, derived by adding the discharge for each of these years and dividing by 21.
  34. ^ According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 394 mi (634 km) are in the United States. This amounts to about 72 percent of the main-stem length.[116]
  35. ^ Of the total basin, 53,500 mi2 (138,600 km2) (about 48 percent) are in Canada and 57,500 mi2 (148,900 km2) (about 52 percent) are in the United States.[6]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 1137.
  2. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 236.
  3. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 615.
  4. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 50.
  5. ^ a b c d The Road Atlas. Chicago, Illinois: Rand McNally & Company. 2008. ISBN 978-0-528-93961-7.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Rivers". The Atlas of Canada. Natural Resources Canada. Archived from the original on April 4, 2007. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  7. ^ a b c "Missouri River Basin Basic Geography and Natural Features". United States Geological Survey. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
  8. ^ a b McCord, Marc W. "Gila River". Wind Spirit Community. Archived from the original on March 3, 2017. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
  9. ^ Patrick 1995, p. 24.
  10. ^ a b Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 527.
  11. ^ a b c The mouth coordinates and source coordinates are from the Geographic Names Information System (United States Geological Survey) or the Canadian Geographical Names Data Base except for the coordinates of the mouth of the Colorado River, derived by geolocating with Google Earth.
  12. ^ a b From Rivers of North America (ed. Benke and Cushing) unless otherwise noted.
  13. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 432.
  14. ^ "Missouri River". Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). United States Geological Survey. October 24, 1980. Retrieved February 4, 2011.
  15. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 469.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Kammerer, J. C. (September 1, 2005). "Largest Rivers in the United States". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
  17. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, pp. 237, 331.
  18. ^ "Mississippi River". Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). United States Geological Survey. June 4, 1980. Retrieved February 4, 2011.
  19. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 272.
  20. ^ "Atlin Lake (B.C.)". Natural Resources Canada. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved February 4, 2011.
  21. ^ "Yukon River". Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). United States Geological Survey. March 31, 1981. Retrieved February 4, 2011.
  22. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 796.
  23. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 186.
  24. ^ a b c d Patino, Carlos; McKinney, Daene C.; Maidment, David R. "Water Management Information System for the Rio Grande/Bravo Basin". University of Texas Center for Research in Water Resources. Archived from the original on April 1, 2015. Retrieved February 19, 2011.
  25. ^ "Rio Grande". Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). United States Geological Survey. March 30, 1979. Retrieved February 4, 2011.
  26. ^ a b Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 220.
  27. ^ Anderson, D. Larry (May 2002). "Utah's Perspective: The Colorado River" (PDF). p. 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 9, 2014. Retrieved February 19, 2011.
  28. ^ a b Arias, E.; Albar, M.; Parra, I; Reza, M. "Regional Definition" (PDF). United Nations Environment Programme. pp. 20–21. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 31, 2017. Retrieved May 30, 2017.
  29. ^ "Colorado River". Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). United States Geological Survey. February 8, 1980. Retrieved February 4, 2011.
  30. ^ Derived via Google Earth
  31. ^ Colorado Atlas and Gazetteer (Map). DeLorme. 1998. § 47–48. ISBN 978-0-89933-265-9.
  32. ^ "Arkansas River". Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). United States Geological Survey. November 30, 1979. Retrieved February 4, 2011.
  33. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 315.
  34. ^ "Columbia Lake". Natural Resources Canada. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved January 31, 2011.
  35. ^ "Columbia River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. November 28, 1980. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
  36. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 646.
  37. ^ Kleiner, Diana J. "Handbook of Texas: Red River". Texas State Historical Association. Archived from the original on December 23, 2015. Retrieved February 18, 2011.
  38. ^ "Handbook of Texas: Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River". Texas State Historical Association. Archived from the original on March 14, 2016. Retrieved February 18, 2011.
  39. ^ "Handbook of Texas: Tierra Blanca Creek". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved February 18, 2011.
  40. ^ "Red River". Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). United States Geological Survey. June 4, 1980. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
  41. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 317.
  42. ^ "Snake River". Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). United States Geological Survey. September 10, 1979. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
  43. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 643.
  44. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 379.
  45. ^ "Ohio River". Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). United States Geological Survey. October 24, 1980. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
  46. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 413.
  47. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 198.
  48. ^ "Colorado River". Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). United States Geological Survey. November 30, 1979. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
  49. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 222.
  50. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 384.
  51. ^ "Tennessee River". Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). United States Geological Survey. September 20, 1979. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
  52. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 414.
  53. ^ "Canadian River". Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). United States Geological Survey. December 18, 1979. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
  54. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 316.
  55. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 203.
  56. ^ "Brazos River". Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). United States Geological Survey. November 30, 1979. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
  57. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 223.
  58. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 497.
  59. ^ "Green River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). December 31, 1979. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
  60. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 528.
  61. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 213.
  62. ^ "Pecos River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). November 30, 1979. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
  63. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 225.
  64. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 246.
  65. ^ "White River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). April 30, 1980. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
  66. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 273.
  67. ^ "River Facts". American Rivers. Archived from the original on March 10, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2011.
  68. ^ "James River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). February 13, 1980. Retrieved February 22, 2011.
  69. ^ a b "USGS 06478513 James River near Yankton, SD". United States Geological Survey. November 2010. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  70. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 741.
  71. ^ "Kuskokwim River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). January 1, 2000. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
  72. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 764.
  73. ^ "Cimarron River". Oklahoma Historical Society. Archived from the original on December 27, 2014. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
  74. ^ "Cimarron River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). December 18, 1979. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
  75. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 319.
  76. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 390.
  77. ^ "Cumberland River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). September 20, 1979. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
  78. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 415.
  79. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 440.
  80. ^ "Yellowstone River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). February 13, 1980. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
  81. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 470.
  82. ^ a b Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 451.
  83. ^ "North Platte River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). October 13, 1978. Retrieved February 6, 2011.
  84. ^ Marsh, James H. (March 4, 2015). "Milk River". Historica Canada. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  85. ^ "Milk River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). April 4, 1980. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
  86. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 475.
  87. ^ Benke and Cushing, p. 265
  88. ^ "Ouachita River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). January 1, 2000. Retrieved February 6, 2011.
  89. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 279.
  90. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 987.
  91. ^ "St. Lawrence River (International Section)". U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District. Retrieved February 19, 2011.
  92. ^ "St. Lawrence River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). January 1, 2000. Retrieved February 3, 2011.
  93. ^ "Saint Lawrence River". Natural Resources Canada. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved February 3, 2011.
  94. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 983.
  95. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 511.
  96. ^ "Gila River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). February 8, 1980. Retrieved February 6, 2011.
  97. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 531.
  98. ^ a b c d "National Hydrography Dataset". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
  99. ^ "Sheyenne River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). February 13, 1980. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
  100. ^ a b "Water-Data Report 2010: 05059000 Sheyenne River near Kindred, ND" (PDF). United States Geological Survey. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
  101. ^ Irwin, Thomas (October 3, 2005). "Recordable Disclaimer of Interest Application for the Nabesna River" (PDF). U.S. Bureau of Land Management. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2012. Retrieved February 19, 2011.
  102. ^ Alaska Atlas and Gazetteer (Map) (7th ed.). DeLorme. 2010. p. 98. ISBN 0-89933-289-7.
  103. ^ "Tanana River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). January 1, 2000. Retrieved February 2, 2011.
  104. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 797.
  105. ^ "Smoky Hill River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). October 13, 1978. Retrieved June 14, 2011.
  106. ^ a b "Water-Data Report 2010: 06877600 Smoky Hill River at Enterprise, KS" (PDF). United States Geological Survey. Retrieved June 14, 2011.
  107. ^ "Niobrara River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). March 9, 1979. Retrieved July 5, 2011.
  108. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 478.
  109. ^ Personius, Robert Giles; Eddy, Samuel (February 18, 1955). "Fishes of the Little Missouri River". Copeia. 1955 (1). American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists: 41. doi:10.2307/1439450. JSTOR 1439450.
  110. ^ "Little Missouri River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). February 13, 1980. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  111. ^ a b "USGS 06337000 Little Missouri River near Watford City, ND". November 2010. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  112. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 208.
  113. ^ "Sabine River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). June 4, 1980. Retrieved February 7, 2011.
  114. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 224.
  115. ^ "Red River of the North". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 2011. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
  116. ^ "Red River of the North: A Water Trail Guide" (PDF). Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 2010. Retrieved February 19, 2011.
  117. ^ "Red River of the North". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). January 1, 2000. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
  118. ^ "Red River". Natural Resources Canada. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
  119. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 896.
  120. ^ "National Recreation Trails: Des Moines River Water Trail - Polk County, Iowa". American Trails. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
  121. ^ "Des Moines River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). April 30, 1979. Retrieved February 7, 2011.
  122. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 372.
  123. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 445.
  124. ^ "White River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). February 13, 1980. Retrieved February 7, 2011.
  125. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 471.
  126. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 215.
  127. ^ "Trinity River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). November 30, 1979. Retrieved February 7, 2011.
  128. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 227.
  129. ^ "Wabash River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). February 14, 1979. Retrieved July 5, 2011.
  130. ^ Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 396.

Works cited

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