Canadian River facts for kids

The Canadian River is a long river in the United States. It's an important branch of the Arkansas River, which itself flows into the mighty Mississippi River. This river flows through several states, including Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma.

Where Does the Canadian River Start and End?

The Canadian River begins in the mountains of Colorado. It starts in Las Animas County, Colorado, near the town of Raton, New Mexico. From there, it flows southeast through New Mexico and the Texas Panhandle.

Journey Through the States

After leaving Texas, the river continues its journey into Oklahoma. It eventually joins the Arkansas River in eastern Oklahoma. The Canadian River is about 906 miles (1,458 kilometers) long.

What's Special About the Canadian River?

The Canadian River is known for its wide, sandy riverbed. For much of its length, the river often looks dry or has very little water flowing. This is because a lot of its water flows underground, especially during dry seasons.

A River of Many Names

Sometimes, the Canadian River is also called the "South Canadian River." This helps to tell it apart from another river in Oklahoma called the "North Canadian River." The North Canadian River is also known as the Oklahoma River in Oklahoma City.

Important for Wildlife and People

Even though it can look dry, the Canadian River is very important for the areas it flows through. It provides water for farms and towns. It also creates habitats for many different kinds of plants and animals.

Images for kids

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  The beautiful Canadian River Canyon in Kiowa National Grassland, Eastern New Mexico.

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  A wooden bridge crossing the Canadian River in Hemphill County, Texas.

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  The Canadian River flowing near Calvin, Oklahoma.

See also

In Spanish: Río Canadiano para niños