
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". 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,Willamette, and Susquehanna 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. Two rivers, the Colorado and the Rio Grande, begin in the United States and flow into or form a border with Mexico. In addition, the drainage basins of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers extend into Canada, and the basin of the Gila River extends into Mexico.
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."
Table
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. In the "States, provinces, and map" column, the superscripts "s" and "m" indicate "source" and "mouth". Non-U.S. states appear in italics. Except in the "States, provinces, and map" column, abbreviations are as follows: "km" for "kilometer", "mi" for "mile", "s" for "second", "m" for "meter", and "ft" for "foot".
Key | |||||
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† River is not entirely within the United States. | |||||
‡ Watershed is not entirely within the United States. |
# | Name | Length | States, provinces, and map | Source coordinates | Mouth | Mouth coordinates | Watershed area | Discharge | Photo |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Missouri River | 2,341 mi 3,768 km | Montanas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missourim | 45°55′39″N 111°30′29″W / 45.92750°N 111.50806°W | Mississippi River | 38°48′49″N 90°07′11″W / 38.81361°N 90.11972°W | 529,353 mi2 1,371,017 km2 ‡ | 69,100 ft3/s 1,956 m3/s | |
2 | Mississippi River | 2,340mi 3,766 km | Minnesotas, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisianam | 47°14′22″N 95°12′29″W / 47.23944°N 95.20806°W | Gulf of Mexico | 29°09′04″N 89°15′12″W / 29.15111°N 89.25333°W | 1,260,000 mi2 3,270,000 km2 ‡ | 650,000 ft3/s 18,400 m3/s | |
3 | Yukon River | 1,979 mi 3,190 km † | British Columbias, Yukon Territory, Alaskam | 59°35′00″N 133°47′00″W / 59.58333°N 133.78333°W | Bering Sea | 62°35′55″N 164°48′00″W / 62.59861°N 164.80000°W | 324,000 mi2 839,200 km2 ‡ | 224,000 ft3/s 6,340 m3/s | |
4 | Rio Grande | 1,759 mi 2,830 km † | Colorados, New Mexico, Texasm, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, Tamaulipasm | 37°47′52″N 107°32′18″W / 37.79778°N 107.53833°W | Gulf of Mexico | 25°57′22″N 97°08′43″W / 25.95611°N 97.14528°W | 340,000 mi2 870,000 km2 ‡ | 1,300 ft3/s 37 m3/s | |
5 | Colorado River | 1,450 mi 2,330 km † | Colorados, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, California, Sonoram, Baja Californiam | 40°28′20″N 105°49′34″W / 40.47222°N 105.82611°W | Gulf of California | 31°48′57″N 114°48′22″W / 31.81583°N 114.80611°W | 248,000 mi2 642,000 km2 ‡ | 1,400 ft3/s 40 m3/s | |
6 | Arkansas River | 1,443 mi 2,322 km | Colorados, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansasm | 39°15′30″N 106°20′38″W / 39.25833°N 106.34389°W | Mississippi River | 33°46′30″N 91°04′15″W / 33.77500°N 91.07083°W | 160,200 mi2 414,910 km2 | 35,500 ft3/s 1,004 m3/s | |
7 | Columbia River | 1,243 mi 2,000 km † | British Columbias, Washingtonm, Oregonm | 50°13′00″N 115°51′00″W / 50.21667°N 115.85000°W | Pacific Ocean | 46°14′39″N 124°03′29″W / 46.24417°N 124.05806°W | 279,548 mi2 724,024 km2 ‡ | 273,000 ft3/s 7,730 m3/s | |
8 | Red River | 1,125 mi 1,811 km | Oklahomas, Texas, Arkansas, Louisianam | 34°34′35″N 99°57′54″W / 34.57639°N 99.96500°W | Atchafalaya and Mississippi rivers | 31°01′10″N 91°44′52″W / 31.01944°N 91.74778°W | 65,590 mi2 169,890 km2 | 30,100 ft3/s 852 m3/s | |
9 | Snake River | 1,040 mi 1,674 km | Wyomings, Idaho, Oregon, Washingtonm | 44°07′49″N 110°13′10″W / 44.13028°N 110.21944°W | Columbia River | 46°11′10″N 119°01′43″W / 46.18611°N 119.02861°W | 108,000 mi2 281,000 km2 | 55,300 ft3/s 1,565 m3/s | |
10 | Ohio River | 979 mi 1,575 km | Pennsylvanias, Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana, Illinois, Kentuckym | 40°26′34″N 80°01′02″W / 40.44278°N 80.01722°W | Mississippi River | 36°59′12″N 89°07′50″W / 36.98667°N 89.13056°W | 204,000 mi2 529,000 km2 | 308,400 ft3/s 8,733 m3/s | |
11 | Colorado River of Texas | 970 mi 1,560 km | Texass, m | 32°40′47″N 101°43′51″W / 32.67972°N 101.73083°W | Gulf of Mexico | 28°35′41″N 95°58′59″W / 28.59472°N 95.98306°W | 39,900 mi2 103,341 km2 | 2,600 ft3/s 75 m3/s | |
12 | Tennessee River | 935 mi 1,504 km | Tennessees, Alabama, Mississippi, Kentuckym | 35°57′33″N 83°51′01″W / 35.95917°N 83.85028°W | Ohio River | 37°04′02″N 88°33′53″W / 37.06722°N 88.56472°W | 40,880 mi2 105,870 km2 | 71,000 ft3/s 2,000 m3/s | |
13 | Canadian River | 906 mi 1,458 km | Colorados, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahomam | 37°01′11″N 105°04′33″W / 37.01972°N 105.07583°W | Arkansas River | 35°27′12″N 95°01′58″W / 35.45333°N 95.03278°W | 47,130 mi2 122,070 km2 | 6,100 ft3/s 174 m3/s | |
14 | Brazos River | 860 mi 1,390 km | Texass, m | 33°16′07″N 100°00′37″W / 33.26861°N 100.01028°W | Gulf of Mexico | 28°52′33″N 95°22′42″W / 28.87583°N 95.37833°W | 44,620 mi2 115,566 km2 | 8,800 ft3/s 249 m3/s | |
15 | Green River | 760 mi 1,230 km | Wyomings, Colorado, Utahm | 43°09′13″N 109°40′18″W / 43.15361°N 109.67167°W | Colorado River | 38°11′21″N 109°53′07″W / 38.18917°N 109.88528°W | 44,900 mi2 116,200 km2 | 6,100 ft3/s 172 m3/s | |
16 | Pecos River | 730 mi 1,175 km | New Mexicos, Texasm | 35°58′34″N 105°33′29″W / 35.97611°N 105.55806°W | Rio Grande | 29°41′59″N 101°22′17″W / 29.69972°N 101.37139°W | 44,000 mi2 113,960 km2 | 71 ft3/s 2 m3/s | |
17 | White River (Arkansas) | 720 mi 1,159 km | Arkansass, m, Missouri | 35°50′20″N 93°36′16″W / 35.83889°N 93.60444°W | Mississippi River | 33°57′05″N 91°04′53″W / 33.95139°N 91.08139°W | 27,872 mi2 72,189 km2 | 34,600 ft3/s 979 m3/s | |
18 | James River | 710 mi 1,140 km | North Dakotas, South Dakotam | 47°28′53″N 99°51′32″W / 47.48139°N 99.85889°W | Missouri River | 42°52′17″N 97°17′26″W / 42.87139°N 97.29056°W | 20,942 mi2 54,240 km2 | 854 ft3/s 24.2 m3/s | |
19 | Kuskokwim River | 702 mi 1,130 km | Alaskas, m | 63°05′16″N 154°38′33″W / 63.08778°N 154.64250°W | Bering Sea | 60°04′59″N 162°20′02″W / 60.08306°N 162.33389°W | 48,000 mi2 124,319 km2 | 67,000 ft3s 1,900 m3/s | |
20 | Cimarron River | 698 mi 1,123 km | Oklahomas, m, Colorado, Kansas | 36°54′24″N 102°59′12″W / 36.90667°N 102.98667°W | Arkansas River | 36°10′14″N 96°16′19″W / 36.17056°N 96.27194°W | 19,510 mi2 50,540 km2 | 1,500 ft3/s 42 m3/s | |
21 | Cumberland River | 696 mi 1,120 km | Kentuckys, m, Tennessee | 36°50′42″N 83°19′26″W / 36.84500°N 83.32389°W | Ohio River | 37°08′36″N 88°24′27″W / 37.14333°N 88.40750°W | 17,930 mi2 46,430 km2 | 30,400 ft3/s 862 m3/s | |
22 | Yellowstone River | 678 mi 1,091 km | Wyomings, Montana, North Dakotam | 43°59′18″N 109°55′45″W / 43.98833°N 109.92917°W | Missouri River | 47°58′42″N 103°58′56″W / 47.97833°N 103.98222°W | 70,400 mi2 182,336 km2 | 12,800 ft3/s 362 m3/s | |
23 | North Platte River | 665 mi 1,070 km | Colorados, Wyoming, Nebraskam | 40°38′23″N 106°24′19″W / 40.63972°N 106.40528°W | Platte River | 41°06′50″N 100°40′33″W / 41.11389°N 100.67583°W | 34,885 mi2 90,352 km2 | 770 ft3/s 21.9 m3/s | |
24 | Milk River | 625 mi 1,005 km† | Alberta, Montanas, m | 48°51′20″N 113°01′10″W / 48.85556°N 113.01944°W | Missouri River | 48°03′26″N 106°19′07″W / 48.05722°N 106.31861°W | 22,332 mi2 57,839 km2 ‡ | 670 ft3/s 18.9 m3/s | |
25 | Ouachita River | 605 mi 974 km | Arkansass, Louisianam | 31°41′56″N 94°19′57″W / 31.69889°N 94.33250°W | Black River | 31°37′53″N 91°48′25″W / 31.63139°N 91.80694°W | 24,886 mi2 64,454 km2 | 29,800 ft3/s 843 m3/s | |
26 | St. Lawrence River | 600 mi 965 km † | New Yorks, Ontarios, Quebecm | 44°05′55″N 76°23′28″W / 44.09861°N 76.39111°W | Gulf of St. Lawrence | 49°40′00″N 64°30′00″W / 49.66667°N 64.50000°W | 620,000 mi2 1,600,000 km2 ‡ | 440,000 ft3/s 12,600 m3/s | |
27 | Gila River | 600 mi 960 km | New Mexicos, Arizonam | 33°10′47″N 108°12′22″W / 33.17972°N 108.20611°W | Colorado River | 32°43′11″N 114°33′19″W / 32.71972°N 114.55528°W | 57,850 mi2 149,832 km2 ‡ | 210 ft3/s 6 m3/s | |
28 | Sheyenne River | 591 mi 951 km | North Dakotas, m | 47°41′46″N 100°29′52″W / 47.69611°N 100.49778°W | Red River of the North | 47°01′25″N 96°49′31″W / 47.02361°N 96.82528°W | 8,800 mi2 23,000 km2 | 288 ft3/s 8.2 m3/s | |
29 | Tanana River | 584 mi 940 km | Alaskas, m | 63°02′57″N 141°51′52″W / 63.04917°N 141.86444°W | Yukon River | 65°09′38″N 151°57′37″W / 65.16056°N 151.96028°W | 44,000 mi2 114,000 km2 | 41,800 ft3/s 1,185 m3/s | |
30 | Smoky Hill River | 576 mi 927 km | Colorados, Kansasm | 38°57′01″N 102°34′49″W / 38.95028°N 102.58028°W | Kansas River | 39°03′36″N 96°48′04″W / 39.06000°N 96.80111°W | 19,260 mi2 49,900 km2 | 1,542 ft3/s 43.7 m3/s | |
31 | Niobrara River | 568 mi 914 km | Wyomings, Nebraskam | 42°49′15″N 104°38′50″W / 42.82083°N 104.64722°W | Missouri River | 42°45′58″N 98°02′50″W / 42.76611°N 98.04722°W | 12,600 mi2 32,600 km2 | 1,700 ft3/s 49 m3/s | |
32 | Little Missouri River | 560 mi 900 km | Wyomings, Montana, South Dakota, North Dakotam | 44°32′25″N 104°59′57″W / 44.54028°N 104.99917°W | Missouri River | 47°36′38″N 102°52′24″W / 47.61056°N 102.87333°W | 8,310 mi2 21,500 km2 | 450 ft3/s 13 m3/s | |
33 | Sabine River | 553 mi 890 km | Texass, Louisianam | 32°48′29″N 95°55′14″W / 32.80806°N 95.92056°W | Gulf of Mexico | 29°59′08″N 93°47′26″W / 29.98556°N 93.79056°W | 9,756 mi2 25,268 km2 | 8,400 ft3/s 238 m3/s | |
34 | Red River of the North | 550 mi 890 km † | North Dakotas, Minnesotas, Manitobam | 46°15′52″N 96°35′55″W / 46.26444°N 96.59861°W | Lake Winnipeg | 50°23′47″N 96°48′39″W / 50.39639°N 96.81083°W | 111,000 mi2 287,500 km2 ‡ | 8,300 ft3/s 236 m3/s | |
35 | Des Moines River | 525 mi 845 km | Minnesotas, Missouri, Iowam | 44°05′02″N 95°41′17″W / 44.08389°N 95.68806°W | Mississippi River | 41°22′52″N 91°25′21″W / 41.38111°N 91.42250°W | 12,018 mi2 31,127 km2 | 6,400 ft3/s 182 m3/s | |
36 | White River (Missouri River) | 506 mi 815 km | Nebraskas, South Dakotam | 42°41′10″N 103°50′14″W / 42.68611°N 103.83722°W | Missouri River | 43°42′50″N 99°28′01″W / 43.71389°N 99.46694°W | 10,200 mi2 26,418 km2 | 570 ft3/s 16 m3/s | |
37 | Trinity River | 506 mi 815 km | Texass, m | 32°47′54″N 96°53′52″W / 32.79833°N 96.89778°W | Galveston Bay | 29°44′35″N 94°42′12″W / 29.74306°N 94.70333°W | 17,970 mi2 46,540 km2 | 7,800 ft3/s 222 m3/s | |
38 | Wabash River | 503 mi 810 km | Ohios, Indianam, Illinoism | 40°21′07″N 84°45′57″W / 40.35194°N 84.76583°W | Ohio River | 37°47′53″N 88°01′38″W / 37.79806°N 88.02722°W | 32,950 mi2 85,340 km2 | 1,001 ft3/s 28 m3/s |
Map
See also
- List of rivers of the United States
- List of rivers of the United States by discharge
- List of longest rivers in the United States by state
- List of longest streams of Idaho
- List of longest streams of Minnesota
- List of longest streams of Oregon
- List of rivers by length
Notes
- 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.
- Of the total, 10,700 mi2 (28,000 km2), about two percent of the basin, is in Canada.
- Kammerer: 76,200 ft3/s (2,160 m3/s).
- Kammerer: 2,340 mi (3,766 km).The Atlas of Canada: 2,348 mi (3,779 km).
- Of the total, 10,700 mi2 (27,800 km2), less than one percent of the basin, is in Canada.
- Of this total, 714 mi (1,149 km) are in Canada. This amounts to about 36 percent of the main-stem length.
- 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.
- Kammerer: 1,900 mi (3,100 km). University of Texas (UT): 1,799 mi (2,895 km). 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.
- 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. 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." 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. Kammerer cites a total basin size of 336,000 mi2 (870,000 km2).
- 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. Of this, 17 mi (27 km) form the border between Mexico and the United States.
- 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.
- Derived by subtracting the length of the East Fork Arkansas River of roughly 16 mi (26 km) from Kammerer's total of 1,459 mi (2,348 km).
- About 498 mi (801 km) are in Canada. This amounts to about 40 percent of the main-stem length.
- 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. Kammerer's figure for the total watershed is 265,000 mi2 (690,000 km2).
- This is the combined length, 1,360 mi (2,190 km), 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) and 75 mi (121 km). Kammerer gives the length as 1,290 mi (2,080 km).
- Kammerer: 93,200 mi2.
- Kammerer: 56,000 ft3/s (1,600 m3)
- Also known as the Dakota River or Jim River and not to be confused with the James River of Virginia.
- This is the average discharge for the years 1982–94, derived by adding the discharge for each of these years and dividing by 13.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Kammerer: 396,000 mi2 (1,030,000 km2).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.
- Kammerer: 348,000 ft3/s (9,900 m3/s).
- 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.
- Rivers of North America describes the discharge as less than 210 ft3/s (6 m3/s.
- This is the size of the basin upstream of a stream gauge near Kindred and at river mile 67.9 (river kilometer 109.3).
- This is the average flow measured by a stream gauge near Kindred and at river mile 67.9 (river kilometer 109.3).
- The main-stem length is calculated by subtracting the length of the Nabesna River from Kammerer's total of 659 mi (1,061 km). 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 to the distance, 15 mi (24 km), from Camp Creek to Nabesna Glacier, Kammerer's most remote source for the Tanana.
- Reflects only that part of the basin above a stream gauge at river mile 43.3 (river kilometer 69.7) near Enterprise.
- Measured by a stream gauge at river mile 43.3 (river kilometer 69.7) near Enterprise.
- 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.
- This is the average discharge for the years 1990–2010, derived by adding the discharge for each of these years and dividing by 21.
- 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.
- 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.
References
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 1137.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 236.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 615.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 50.
- The Road Atlas. Chicago, Illinois: Rand McNally & Company. 2008. ISBN 978-0-528-93961-7.
- "Rivers". The Atlas of Canada. Natural Resources Canada. Archived from the original on April 4, 2007. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- "Missouri River Basin Basic Geography and Natural Features". United States Geological Survey. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
- McCord, Marc W. "Gila River". Wind Spirit Community. Archived from the original on March 3, 2017. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
- Patrick 1995, p. 24.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 527.
- 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.
- From Rivers of North America (ed. Benke and Cushing) unless otherwise noted.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 432.
- "Missouri River". Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). United States Geological Survey. October 24, 1980. Retrieved February 4, 2011.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 469.
- Kammerer, J. C. (September 1, 2005). "Largest Rivers in the United States". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, pp. 237, 331.
- "Mississippi River". Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). United States Geological Survey. June 4, 1980. Retrieved February 4, 2011.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 272.
- "Atlin Lake (B.C.)". Natural Resources Canada. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved February 4, 2011.
- "Yukon River". Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). United States Geological Survey. March 31, 1981. Retrieved February 4, 2011.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 796.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 186.
- 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.
- "Rio Grande". Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). United States Geological Survey. March 30, 1979. Retrieved February 4, 2011.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 220.
- 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.
- 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.
- "Colorado River". Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). United States Geological Survey. February 8, 1980. Retrieved February 4, 2011.
- Derived via Google Earth
- Colorado Atlas and Gazetteer (Map). DeLorme. 1998. § 47–48. ISBN 978-0-89933-265-9.
- "Arkansas River". Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). United States Geological Survey. November 30, 1979. Retrieved February 4, 2011.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 315.
- "Columbia Lake". Natural Resources Canada. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved January 31, 2011.
- "Columbia River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. November 28, 1980. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 646.
- Kleiner, Diana J. "Handbook of Texas: Red River". Texas State Historical Association. Archived from the original on December 23, 2015. Retrieved February 18, 2011.
- "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.
- "Handbook of Texas: Tierra Blanca Creek". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved February 18, 2011.
- "Red River". Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). United States Geological Survey. June 4, 1980. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 317.
- "Snake River". Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). United States Geological Survey. September 10, 1979. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 643.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 379.
- "Ohio River". Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). United States Geological Survey. October 24, 1980. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 413.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 198.
- "Colorado River". Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). United States Geological Survey. November 30, 1979. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 222.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 384.
- "Tennessee River". Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). United States Geological Survey. September 20, 1979. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 414.
- "Canadian River". Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). United States Geological Survey. December 18, 1979. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 316.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 203.
- "Brazos River". Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). United States Geological Survey. November 30, 1979. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 223.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 497.
- "Green River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). December 31, 1979. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 528.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 213.
- "Pecos River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). November 30, 1979. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 225.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 246.
- "White River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). April 30, 1980. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 273.
- "River Facts". American Rivers. Archived from the original on March 10, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2011.
- "James River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). February 13, 1980. Retrieved February 22, 2011.
- "USGS 06478513 James River near Yankton, SD". United States Geological Survey. November 2010. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 741.
- "Kuskokwim River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). January 1, 2000. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 764.
- "Cimarron River". Oklahoma Historical Society. Archived from the original on December 27, 2014. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
- "Cimarron River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). December 18, 1979. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 319.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 390.
- "Cumberland River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). September 20, 1979. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 415.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 440.
- "Yellowstone River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). February 13, 1980. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 470.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 451.
- "North Platte River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). October 13, 1978. Retrieved February 6, 2011.
- Marsh, James H. (March 4, 2015). "Milk River". Historica Canada. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
- "Milk River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). April 4, 1980. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 475.
- Benke and Cushing, p. 265
- "Ouachita River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). January 1, 2000. Retrieved February 6, 2011.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 279.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 987.
- "St. Lawrence River (International Section)". U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District. Retrieved February 19, 2011.
- "St. Lawrence River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). January 1, 2000. Retrieved February 3, 2011.
- "Saint Lawrence River". Natural Resources Canada. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved February 3, 2011.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 983.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 511.
- "Gila River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). February 8, 1980. Retrieved February 6, 2011.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 531.
- "National Hydrography Dataset". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
- "Sheyenne River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). February 13, 1980. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
- "Water-Data Report 2010: 05059000 Sheyenne River near Kindred, ND" (PDF). United States Geological Survey. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
- 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.
- Alaska Atlas and Gazetteer (Map) (7th ed.). DeLorme. 2010. p. 98. ISBN 0-89933-289-7.
- "Tanana River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). January 1, 2000. Retrieved February 2, 2011.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 797.
- "Smoky Hill River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). October 13, 1978. Retrieved June 14, 2011.
- "Water-Data Report 2010: 06877600 Smoky Hill River at Enterprise, KS" (PDF). United States Geological Survey. Retrieved June 14, 2011.
- "Niobrara River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). March 9, 1979. Retrieved July 5, 2011.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 478.
- 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.
- "Little Missouri River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). February 13, 1980. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
- "USGS 06337000 Little Missouri River near Watford City, ND". November 2010. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 208.
- "Sabine River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). June 4, 1980. Retrieved February 7, 2011.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 224.
- "Red River of the North". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 2011. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
- "Red River of the North: A Water Trail Guide" (PDF). Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 2010. Retrieved February 19, 2011.
- "Red River of the North". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). January 1, 2000. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
- "Red River". Natural Resources Canada. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 896.
- "National Recreation Trails: Des Moines River Water Trail - Polk County, Iowa". American Trails. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
- "Des Moines River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). April 30, 1979. Retrieved February 7, 2011.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 372.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 445.
- "White River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). February 13, 1980. Retrieved February 7, 2011.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 471.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 215.
- "Trinity River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). November 30, 1979. Retrieved February 7, 2011.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 227.
- "Wabash River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). February 14, 1979. Retrieved July 5, 2011.
- Benke & Cushing 2005, p. 396.
Works cited
- Benke, Arthur C.; Cushing, Colbert E. (2005). Rivers of North America. Burlington, Massachusetts: Elsevier Academic Press. ISBN 978-0-12-088253-3.
- Patrick, Ruth (1995). Rivers of the United States: Volume II: Chemical and Physical Characteristics. New York: John Wiley & Sons. p. 24. ISBN 978-0-471-10752-1.
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 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 Willamette and Susquehanna are not included in this list because their main stems are shorter than 500 miles 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 Map all coordinates using OpenStreetMap Download coordinates as KML GPX all coordinates GPX primary coordinates GPX secondary coordinates 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 Two rivers the Colorado and the Rio Grande begin in the United States and flow into or form a border with Mexico In addition the drainage basins of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers extend into Canada and the basin of the Gila River extends into Mexico 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 TableThe 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 In the States provinces and map column the superscripts s and m indicate source and mouth Non U S states appear in italics Except in the States provinces and map 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 Source coordinates Mouth Mouth coordinates Watershed area Discharge Photo1 Missouri River 2 341 mi 3 768 km Montanas North Dakota South Dakota Nebraska Iowa Kansas Missourim 45 55 39 N 111 30 29 W 45 92750 N 111 50806 W 45 92750 111 50806 Missouri River source 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 69 100 ft3 s 1 956 m3 s2 Mississippi River 2 340 mi 3 766 km Minnesotas Wisconsin Iowa Illinois Missouri Kentucky Tennessee Arkansas Mississippi Louisianam 47 14 22 N 95 12 29 W 47 23944 N 95 20806 W 47 23944 95 20806 Mississippi River source 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 650 000 ft3 s 18 400 m3 s3 Yukon River 1 979 mi 3 190 km British Columbias Yukon Territory Alaskam 59 35 00 N 133 47 00 W 59 58333 N 133 78333 W 59 58333 133 78333 Yukon River source Bering Sea 62 35 55 N 164 48 00 W 62 59861 N 164 80000 W 62 59861 164 80000 Yukon River mouth 324 000 mi2 839 200 km2 224 000 ft3 s 6 340 m3 s4 Rio Grande 1 759 mi 2 830 km Colorados New Mexico Texasm Chihuahua Coahuila Nuevo Leon Tamaulipasm 37 47 52 N 107 32 18 W 37 79778 N 107 53833 W 37 79778 107 53833 Rio Grande source 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 1 300 ft3 s 37 m3 s5 Colorado River 1 450 mi 2 330 km Colorados Utah Arizona Nevada California Sonoram Baja Californiam 40 28 20 N 105 49 34 W 40 47222 N 105 82611 W 40 47222 105 82611 Colorado River source Gulf of California 31 48 57 N 114 48 22 W 31 81583 N 114 80611 W 31 81583 114 80611 Colorado River mouth 248 000 mi2 642 000 km2 1 400 ft3 s 40 m3 s6 Arkansas River 1 443 mi 2 322 km Colorados Kansas Oklahoma Arkansasm 39 15 30 N 106 20 38 W 39 25833 N 106 34389 W 39 25833 106 34389 Arkansas River source 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 35 500 ft3 s 1 004 m3 s7 Columbia River 1 243 mi 2 000 km British Columbias Washingtonm Oregonm 50 13 00 N 115 51 00 W 50 21667 N 115 85000 W 50 21667 115 85000 Columbia River source Pacific Ocean 46 14 39 N 124 03 29 W 46 24417 N 124 05806 W 46 24417 124 05806 Columbia River mouth 279 548 mi2 724 024 km2 273 000 ft3 s 7 730 m3 s8 Red River 1 125 mi 1 811 km Oklahomas Texas Arkansas Louisianam 34 34 35 N 99 57 54 W 34 57639 N 99 96500 W 34 57639 99 96500 Red River source 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 30 100 ft3 s 852 m3 s9 Snake River 1 040 mi 1 674 km Wyomings Idaho Oregon Washingtonm 44 07 49 N 110 13 10 W 44 13028 N 110 21944 W 44 13028 110 21944 Snake River source 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 55 300 ft3 s 1 565 m3 s10 Ohio River 979 mi 1 575 km Pennsylvanias Ohio West Virginia Indiana Illinois Kentuckym 40 26 34 N 80 01 02 W 40 44278 N 80 01722 W 40 44278 80 01722 Ohio River source 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 308 400 ft3 s 8 733 m3 s11 Colorado River of Texas 970 mi 1 560 km Texass m 32 40 47 N 101 43 51 W 32 67972 N 101 73083 W 32 67972 101 73083 Colorado River of Texas source 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 2 600 ft3 s 75 m3 s12 Tennessee River 935 mi 1 504 km Tennessees Alabama Mississippi Kentuckym 35 57 33 N 83 51 01 W 35 95917 N 83 85028 W 35 95917 83 85028 Tennessee River source 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 71 000 ft3 s 2 000 m3 s13 Canadian River 906 mi 1 458 km Colorados New Mexico Texas Oklahomam 37 01 11 N 105 04 33 W 37 01972 N 105 07583 W 37 01972 105 07583 Canadian River source 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 6 100 ft3 s 174 m3 s14 Brazos River 860 mi 1 390 km Texass m 33 16 07 N 100 00 37 W 33 26861 N 100 01028 W 33 26861 100 01028 Brazos River source 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 8 800 ft3 s 249 m3 s15 Green River 760 mi 1 230 km Wyomings Colorado Utahm 43 09 13 N 109 40 18 W 43 15361 N 109 67167 W 43 15361 109 67167 Green River source 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 6 100 ft3 s 172 m3 s16 Pecos River 730 mi 1 175 km New Mexicos Texasm 35 58 34 N 105 33 29 W 35 97611 N 105 55806 W 35 97611 105 55806 Pecos River source 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 71 ft3 s 2 m3 s17 White River Arkansas 720 mi 1 159 km Arkansass m Missouri 35 50 20 N 93 36 16 W 35 83889 N 93 60444 W 35 83889 93 60444 White River source 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 34 600 ft3 s 979 m3 s18 James River 710 mi 1 140 km North Dakotas South Dakotam 47 28 53 N 99 51 32 W 47 48139 N 99 85889 W 47 48139 99 85889 James River source 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 854 ft3 s 24 2 m3 s19 Kuskokwim River 702 mi 1 130 km Alaskas m 63 05 16 N 154 38 33 W 63 08778 N 154 64250 W 63 08778 154 64250 Kuskokwim River source 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 67 000 ft3s 1 900 m3 s20 Cimarron River 698 mi 1 123 km Oklahomas m Colorado Kansas 36 54 24 N 102 59 12 W 36 90667 N 102 98667 W 36 90667 102 98667 Cimarron River source 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 1 500 ft3 s 42 m3 s21 Cumberland River 696 mi 1 120 km Kentuckys m Tennessee 36 50 42 N 83 19 26 W 36 84500 N 83 32389 W 36 84500 83 32389 Cumberland River source 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 30 400 ft3 s 862 m3 s22 Yellowstone River 678 mi 1 091 km Wyomings Montana North Dakotam 43 59 18 N 109 55 45 W 43 98833 N 109 92917 W 43 98833 109 92917 Yellowstone River source 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 12 800 ft3 s 362 m3 s23 North Platte River 665 mi 1 070 km Colorados Wyoming Nebraskam 40 38 23 N 106 24 19 W 40 63972 N 106 40528 W 40 63972 106 40528 North Platte River source 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 770 ft3 s 21 9 m3 s24 Milk River 625 mi 1 005 km Alberta Montanas m 48 51 20 N 113 01 10 W 48 85556 N 113 01944 W 48 85556 113 01944 Milk River source 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 670 ft3 s 18 9 m3 s25 Ouachita River 605 mi 974 km Arkansass Louisianam 31 41 56 N 94 19 57 W 31 69889 N 94 33250 W 31 69889 94 33250 Ouachita River source 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 29 800 ft3 s 843 m3 s26 St Lawrence River 600 mi 965 km New Yorks Ontarios Quebecm 44 05 55 N 76 23 28 W 44 09861 N 76 39111 W 44 09861 76 39111 St Lawrence River source 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 620 000 mi2 1 600 000 km2 440 000 ft3 s 12 600 m3 s27 Gila River 600 mi 960 km New Mexicos Arizonam 33 10 47 N 108 12 22 W 33 17972 N 108 20611 W 33 17972 108 20611 Gila River source 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 210 ft3 s 6 m3 s28 Sheyenne River 591 mi 951 km North Dakotas m 47 41 46 N 100 29 52 W 47 69611 N 100 49778 W 47 69611 100 49778 Sheyenne River source 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 288 ft3 s 8 2 m3 s29 Tanana River 584 mi 940 km Alaskas m 63 02 57 N 141 51 52 W 63 04917 N 141 86444 W 63 04917 141 86444 Tanana River source 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 41 800 ft3 s 1 185 m3 s30 Smoky Hill River 576 mi 927 km Colorados Kansasm 38 57 01 N 102 34 49 W 38 95028 N 102 58028 W 38 95028 102 58028 Smoky Hill River source 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 1 542 ft3 s 43 7 m3 s31 Niobrara River 568 mi 914 km Wyomings Nebraskam 42 49 15 N 104 38 50 W 42 82083 N 104 64722 W 42 82083 104 64722 Niobrara River source 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 1 700 ft3 s 49 m3 s A small river flows through a field of grass and yellow flowers 32 Little Missouri River 560 mi 900 km Wyomings Montana South Dakota North Dakotam 44 32 25 N 104 59 57 W 44 54028 N 104 99917 W 44 54028 104 99917 Little Missouri River source 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 450 ft3 s 13 m3 s33 Sabine River 553 mi 890 km Texass Louisianam 32 48 29 N 95 55 14 W 32 80806 N 95 92056 W 32 80806 95 92056 Sabine River source 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 8 400 ft3 s 238 m3 s34 Red River of the North 550 mi 890 km North Dakotas Minnesotas Manitobam 46 15 52 N 96 35 55 W 46 26444 N 96 59861 W 46 26444 96 59861 Red River of the North source Lake Winnipeg 50 23 47 N 96 48 39 W 50 39639 N 96 81083 W 50 39639 96 81083 Red River mouth 111 000 mi2 287 500 km2 8 300 ft3 s 236 m3 s35 Des Moines River 525 mi 845 km Minnesotas Missouri Iowam 44 05 02 N 95 41 17 W 44 08389 N 95 68806 W 44 08389 95 68806 Des Moines source 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 6 400 ft3 s 182 m3 s36 White River Missouri River 506 mi 815 km Nebraskas South Dakotam 42 41 10 N 103 50 14 W 42 68611 N 103 83722 W 42 68611 103 83722 White River source 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 570 ft3 s 16 m3 s37 Trinity River 506 mi 815 km Texass m 32 47 54 N 96 53 52 W 32 79833 N 96 89778 W 32 79833 96 89778 Trinity River source 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 7 800 ft3 s 222 m3 s38 Wabash River 503 mi 810 km Ohios Indianam Illinoism 40 21 07 N 84 45 57 W 40 35194 N 84 76583 W 40 35194 84 76583 Wabash River source 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 1 001 ft3 s 28 m3 sMapMap of North America showing all rivers on this list See alsoList of rivers of the United States List of rivers of the United States by discharge List of longest rivers in the United States by state List of longest streams of Idaho List of longest streams of Minnesota List of longest streams of Oregon List of rivers by lengthNotesDams 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 Of the total 10 700 mi2 28 000 km2 about two percent of the basin is in Canada Kammerer 76 200 ft3 s 2 160 m3 s Kammerer 2 340 mi 3 766 km The Atlas of Canada 2 348 mi 3 779 km Of the total 10 700 mi2 27 800 km2 less than one percent of the basin is in Canada Of this total 714 mi 1 149 km are in Canada This amounts to about 36 percent of the main stem length 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 Kammerer 1 900 mi 3 100 km University of Texas UT 1 799 mi 2 895 km 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 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 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 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 Kammerer cites a total basin size of 336 000 mi2 870 000 km2 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 Of this 17 mi 27 km form the border between Mexico and the United States 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 Derived by subtracting the length of the East Fork Arkansas River of roughly 16 mi 26 km from Kammerer s total of 1 459 mi 2 348 km About 498 mi 801 km are in Canada This amounts to about 40 percent of the main stem length 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 Kammerer s figure for the total watershed is 265 000 mi2 690 000 km2 This is the combined length 1 360 mi 2 190 km 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 and 75 mi 121 km Kammerer gives the length as 1 290 mi 2 080 km Kammerer 93 200 mi2 Kammerer 56 000 ft3 s 1 600 m3 Also known as the Dakota River or Jim River and not to be confused with the James River of Virginia This is the average discharge for the years 1982 94 derived by adding the discharge for each of these years and dividing by 13 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 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 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 Kammerer 396 000 mi2 1 030 000 km2 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 Kammerer 348 000 ft3 s 9 900 m3 s 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 Rivers of North America describes the discharge as less than 210 ft3 s 6 m3 s This is the size of the basin upstream of a stream gauge near Kindred and at river mile 67 9 river kilometer 109 3 This is the average flow measured by a stream gauge near Kindred and at river mile 67 9 river kilometer 109 3 The main stem length is calculated by subtracting the length of the Nabesna River from Kammerer s total of 659 mi 1 061 km 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 to the distance 15 mi 24 km from Camp Creek to Nabesna Glacier Kammerer s most remote source for the Tanana Reflects only that part of the basin above a stream gauge at river mile 43 3 river kilometer 69 7 near Enterprise Measured by a stream gauge at river mile 43 3 river kilometer 69 7 near Enterprise 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 This is the average discharge for the years 1990 2010 derived by adding the discharge for each of these years and dividing by 21 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 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 ReferencesBenke amp Cushing 2005 p 1137 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 236 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 615 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 50 The Road Atlas Chicago Illinois Rand McNally amp Company 2008 ISBN 978 0 528 93961 7 Rivers The Atlas of Canada Natural Resources Canada Archived from the original on April 4 2007 Retrieved February 11 2011 Missouri River Basin Basic Geography and Natural Features United States Geological Survey Archived from the original on April 7 2014 Retrieved February 20 2011 McCord Marc W Gila River Wind Spirit Community Archived from the original on March 3 2017 Retrieved February 20 2011 Patrick 1995 p 24 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 527 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 From Rivers of North America ed Benke and Cushing unless otherwise noted Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 432 Missouri River Geographic Names Information System GNIS United States Geological Survey October 24 1980 Retrieved February 4 2011 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 469 Kammerer J C September 1 2005 Largest Rivers in the United States United States Geological Survey Retrieved January 22 2011 Benke amp Cushing 2005 pp 237 331 Mississippi River Geographic Names Information System GNIS United States Geological Survey June 4 1980 Retrieved February 4 2011 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 272 Atlin Lake B C Natural Resources Canada Archived from the original on July 6 2011 Retrieved February 4 2011 Yukon River Geographic Names Information System GNIS United States Geological Survey March 31 1981 Retrieved February 4 2011 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 796 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 186 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 Rio Grande Geographic Names Information System GNIS United States Geological Survey March 30 1979 Retrieved February 4 2011 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 220 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 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 Colorado River Geographic Names Information System GNIS United States Geological Survey February 8 1980 Retrieved February 4 2011 Derived via Google Earth Colorado Atlas and Gazetteer Map DeLorme 1998 47 48 ISBN 978 0 89933 265 9 Arkansas River Geographic Names Information System GNIS United States Geological Survey November 30 1979 Retrieved February 4 2011 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 315 Columbia Lake Natural Resources Canada Archived from the original on July 6 2011 Retrieved January 31 2011 Columbia River Geographic Names Information System United States Geological Survey November 28 1980 Retrieved August 5 2010 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 646 Kleiner Diana J Handbook of Texas Red River Texas State Historical Association Archived from the original on December 23 2015 Retrieved February 18 2011 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 Handbook of Texas Tierra Blanca Creek Texas State Historical Association Retrieved February 18 2011 Red River Geographic Names Information System GNIS United States Geological Survey June 4 1980 Retrieved February 5 2011 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 317 Snake River Geographic Names Information System GNIS United States Geological Survey September 10 1979 Retrieved August 6 2010 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 643 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 379 Ohio River Geographic Names Information System GNIS United States Geological Survey October 24 1980 Retrieved February 5 2011 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 413 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 198 Colorado River Geographic Names Information System GNIS United States Geological Survey November 30 1979 Retrieved February 5 2011 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 222 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 384 Tennessee River Geographic Names Information System GNIS United States Geological Survey September 20 1979 Retrieved February 5 2011 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 414 Canadian River Geographic Names Information System GNIS United States Geological Survey December 18 1979 Retrieved February 5 2011 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 316 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 203 Brazos River Geographic Names Information System GNIS United States Geological Survey November 30 1979 Retrieved February 5 2011 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 223 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 497 Green River Geographic Names Information System United States Geological Survey USGS December 31 1979 Retrieved February 5 2011 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 528 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 213 Pecos River Geographic Names Information System United States Geological Survey USGS November 30 1979 Retrieved February 5 2011 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 225 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 246 White River Geographic Names Information System United States Geological Survey USGS April 30 1980 Retrieved February 5 2011 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 273 River Facts American Rivers Archived from the original on March 10 2012 Retrieved February 22 2011 James River Geographic Names Information System United States Geological Survey USGS February 13 1980 Retrieved February 22 2011 USGS 06478513 James River near Yankton SD United States Geological Survey November 2010 Retrieved February 23 2011 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 741 Kuskokwim River Geographic Names Information System United States Geological Survey USGS January 1 2000 Retrieved February 5 2011 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 764 Cimarron River Oklahoma Historical Society Archived from the original on December 27 2014 Retrieved February 5 2011 Cimarron River Geographic Names Information System United States Geological Survey USGS December 18 1979 Retrieved February 5 2011 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 319 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 390 Cumberland River Geographic Names Information System United States Geological Survey USGS September 20 1979 Retrieved February 5 2011 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 415 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 440 Yellowstone River Geographic Names Information System United States Geological Survey USGS February 13 1980 Retrieved January 20 2011 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 470 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 451 North Platte River Geographic Names Information System United States Geological Survey USGS October 13 1978 Retrieved February 6 2011 Marsh James H March 4 2015 Milk River Historica Canada Retrieved May 19 2017 Milk River Geographic Names Information System United States Geological Survey USGS April 4 1980 Retrieved February 5 2011 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 475 Benke and Cushing p 265 Ouachita River Geographic Names Information System United States Geological Survey USGS January 1 2000 Retrieved February 6 2011 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 279 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 987 St Lawrence River International Section U S Army Corps of Engineers Detroit District Retrieved February 19 2011 St Lawrence River Geographic Names Information System United States Geological Survey USGS January 1 2000 Retrieved February 3 2011 Saint Lawrence River Natural Resources Canada Archived from the original on July 6 2011 Retrieved February 3 2011 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 983 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 511 Gila River Geographic Names Information System United States Geological Survey USGS February 8 1980 Retrieved February 6 2011 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 531 National Hydrography Dataset United States Geological Survey Retrieved June 9 2011 Sheyenne River Geographic Names Information System United States Geological Survey USGS February 13 1980 Retrieved June 9 2011 Water Data Report 2010 05059000 Sheyenne River near Kindred ND PDF United States Geological Survey Retrieved June 9 2011 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 Alaska Atlas and Gazetteer Map 7th ed DeLorme 2010 p 98 ISBN 0 89933 289 7 Tanana River Geographic Names Information System United States Geological Survey USGS January 1 2000 Retrieved February 2 2011 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 797 Smoky Hill River Geographic Names Information System United States Geological Survey USGS October 13 1978 Retrieved June 14 2011 Water Data Report 2010 06877600 Smoky Hill River at Enterprise KS PDF United States Geological Survey Retrieved June 14 2011 Niobrara River Geographic Names Information System United States Geological Survey USGS March 9 1979 Retrieved July 5 2011 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 478 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 Little Missouri River Geographic Names Information System United States Geological Survey USGS February 13 1980 Retrieved February 23 2011 USGS 06337000 Little Missouri River near Watford City ND November 2010 Retrieved February 23 2011 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 208 Sabine River Geographic Names Information System United States Geological Survey USGS June 4 1980 Retrieved February 7 2011 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 224 Red River of the North Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 2011 Retrieved January 22 2011 Red River of the North A Water Trail Guide PDF Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 2010 Retrieved February 19 2011 Red River of the North Geographic Names Information System United States Geological Survey USGS January 1 2000 Retrieved January 17 2011 Red River Natural Resources Canada Archived from the original on July 6 2011 Retrieved January 17 2011 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 896 National Recreation Trails Des Moines River Water Trail Polk County Iowa American Trails Retrieved February 5 2011 Des Moines River Geographic Names Information System United States Geological Survey USGS April 30 1979 Retrieved February 7 2011 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 372 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 445 White River Geographic Names Information System United States Geological Survey USGS February 13 1980 Retrieved February 7 2011 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 471 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 215 Trinity River Geographic Names Information System United States Geological Survey USGS November 30 1979 Retrieved February 7 2011 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 227 Wabash River Geographic Names Information System United States Geological Survey USGS February 14 1979 Retrieved July 5 2011 Benke amp Cushing 2005 p 396 Works citedBenke Arthur C Cushing Colbert E 2005 Rivers of North America Burlington Massachusetts Elsevier Academic Press ISBN 978 0 12 088253 3 Patrick Ruth 1995 Rivers of the United States Volume II Chemical and Physical Characteristics New York John Wiley amp Sons p 24 ISBN 978 0 471 10752 1