Big Blue River (Kansas) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Big Blue River
Big Blue River above Manhattan, Kansas
Map of the Kansas River drainage basin showing the Big Blue and Little Blue rivers
Native name	Great Blue Earth River
Country	United States
State	Nebraska, Kansas
Region	Great Plains
Cities	Manhattan, KS, Beatrice, NE, Crete, NE, Seward, NE
Physical characteristics
Main source	Near Aurora, NE, Great Plains, United States 40°57′00″N 098°04′31″W / 40.95000°N 98.07528°W / 40.95000; -98.07528
River mouth	Kansas River Near Manhattan, Great Plains, United States 39°11′17″N 096°31′40″W / 39.18806°N 96.52778°W / 39.18806; -96.52778
Length	359 mi (578 km), South
Basin features
River system	Kansas River watershed
Tributaries	Left: Little Blue River, West Fork of the Little Blue River

The Big Blue River is the largest tributary of the Kansas River. A tributary is a smaller river or stream that flows into a larger one. This river is about 359 miles (578 km) long.

It starts in central Nebraska and flows south into Kansas. The Big Blue River joins the Kansas River near Manhattan.

The Kansa Native American tribe gave the river its name. They lived near the river's mouth from 1780 to 1830. They called it the Great Blue Earth River.

Where the River Flows

The Big Blue River mostly flows through farmland. Many farms use its water for their crops.

Some of the bigger towns along the river include:

• Manhattan, Kansas
• Beatrice, Nebraska
• Crete, Nebraska
• Seward, Nebraska

Sharing the Water

The states of Nebraska and Kansas have an agreement about using the river's water. Nebraska can use the river's water freely for most of the year.

However, from May 1 to September 30, Nebraska must let a certain amount of water flow into Kansas. This helps make sure both states have enough water. So far, there has been no shortage of water in the river.

Images for kids

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  Big Blue River south of Tuttle Creek Lake