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

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Mississippiriver-new-01
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.


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. Two—the Yukon and Columbia rivers—begin in Canada and flow into the United States. Three—the Milk and Saint Lawrence rivers and the Red River of the North—begin in the United States and flow into Canada. Of these, 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 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
Stream is not entirely within the United States. River is not entirely within the United States.
Watershed 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 Photo
1 Missouri River &&&&&&&&&&&02341.&&&&&02,341 mi
3,768 km		 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)) Mississippi River 38°48′49″N 90°07′11″W / 38.81361°N 90.11972°W / 38.81361; -90.11972 (Missouri River (mouth)) &&&&&&&&&0529353.&&&&&0529,353 mi2
1,371,017 km2
double-dagger		 &&&&&&&&&&069100.&&&&&069,100 ft3/s
1,956 m3/s
The Missouri River as seen in Montana.
2 Mississippi River &&&&&&&&&&&02340.&&&&&02,340mi
3,766 km
 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)) Gulf of Mexico 29°09′04″N 89°15′12″W / 29.15111°N 89.25333°W / 29.15111; -89.25333 (Mississippi River (mouth)) &&&&&&&&01260000.&&&&&01,260,000 mi2
3,270,000 km2
double-dagger		 &&&&&&&&&0650000.&&&&&0650,000 ft3/s
18,400 m3/s
A small river flows from a lake.
3 Yukon River &&&&&&&&&&&01979.&&&&&01,979 mi
3,190 km
dagger		 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)) Bering Sea 62°35′55″N 164°48′00″W / 62.59861°N 164.80000°W / 62.59861; -164.80000 (Yukon River (mouth)) &&&&&&&&&0324000.&&&&&0324,000 mi2
839,200 km2
double-dagger		 &&&&&&&&&0224000.&&&&&0224,000 ft3/s
6,340 m3/s
Sunset over a large river flowing through mountains.
4 Rio Grande &&&&&&&&&&&01759.&&&&&01,759 mi
2,830 km
dagger		 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)) Gulf of Mexico 25°57′22″N 97°08′43″W / 25.95611°N 97.14528°W / 25.95611; -97.14528 (Rio Grande (mouth)) &&&&&&&&&0340000.&&&&&0340,000 mi2
870,000 km2
double-dagger		 &&&&&&&&&&&01300.&&&&&01,300 ft3/s
37 m3/s
A small river winds through mountains under a rainbow.
5 Colorado River &&&&&&&&&&&01450.&&&&&01,450 mi
2,330 km
dagger		 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)) Gulf of California 31°48′57″N 114°48′22″W / 31.81583°N 114.80611°W / 31.81583; -114.80611 (Colorado River (mouth)) &&&&&&&&&0248000.&&&&&0248,000 mi2
642,000 km2
double-dagger		 &&&&&&&&&&&01400.&&&&&01,400 ft3/s
40 m3/s
A large river flows through a deep canyon.
6 Arkansas River &&&&&&&&&&&01443.&&&&&01,443 mi
2,322 km
 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)) Mississippi River 33°46′30″N 91°04′15″W / 33.77500°N 91.07083°W / 33.77500; -91.07083 (Arkansas River (mouth)) &&&&&&&&&0160200.&&&&&0160,200 mi2
414,910 km2		 &&&&&&&&&&035500.&&&&&035,500 ft3/s
1,004 m3/s
Arkansas River headwaters in Colorado.
7 Columbia River &&&&&&&&&&&01243.&&&&&01,243 mi
2,000 km
dagger		 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)) Pacific Ocean 46°14′39″N 124°03′29″W / 46.24417°N 124.05806°W / 46.24417; -124.05806 (Columbia River (mouth)) &&&&&&&&&0279548.&&&&&0279,548 mi2
724,024 km2
double-dagger		 &&&&&&&&&0273000.&&&&&0273,000 ft3/s
7,730 m3/s
A large river flows through a wooded gorge.
8 Red River &&&&&&&&&&&01125.&&&&&01,125 mi
1,811 km
 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)) 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)) &&&&&&&&&&065590.&&&&&065,590 mi2
169,890 km2
 &&&&&&&&&&030100.&&&&&030,100 ft3/s
852 m3/s
Oxbow bend in a river seen from an airplane.
9 Snake River &&&&&&&&&&&01040.&&&&&01,040 mi
1,674 km		 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)) Columbia River 46°11′10″N 119°01′43″W / 46.18611°N 119.02861°W / 46.18611; -119.02861 (Snake River (mouth)) &&&&&&&&&0108000.&&&&&0108,000 mi2
281,000 km2		 &&&&&&&&&&055300.&&&&&055,300 ft3/s
1,565 m3/s
A river winds across a plain at the foot of jagged snow-covered mountains.
10 Ohio River &&&&&&&&&&&&0979.&&&&&0979 mi
1,575 km		 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)) Mississippi River 36°59′12″N 89°07′50″W / 36.98667°N 89.13056°W / 36.98667; -89.13056 (Ohio River (mouth)) &&&&&&&&&0204000.&&&&&0204,000 mi2
529,000 km2		 &&&&&&&&&0308400.&&&&&0308,400 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 &&&&&&&&&&&&0970.&&&&&0970 mi
1,560 km		 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))) 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)) &&&&&&&&&&039900.&&&&&039,900 mi2
103,341 km2		 &&&&&&&&&&&02600.&&&&&02,600 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 &&&&&&&&&&&&0935.&&&&&0935 mi
1,504 km		 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)) Ohio River 37°04′02″N 88°33′53″W / 37.06722°N 88.56472°W / 37.06722; -88.56472 (Tennessee River (mouth)) &&&&&&&&&&040880.&&&&&040,880 mi2
105,870 km2		 &&&&&&&&&&071000.&&&&&071,000 ft3/s
2,000 m3/s
The Tennessee River flowing through the Tennessee River Gorge.
13 Canadian River &&&&&&&&&&&&0906.&&&&&0906 mi
1,458 km		 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)) Arkansas River 35°27′12″N 95°01′58″W / 35.45333°N 95.03278°W / 35.45333; -95.03278 (Canadian River (mouth)) &&&&&&&&&&047130.&&&&&047,130 mi2
122,070 km2		 &&&&&&&&&&&06100.&&&&&06,100 ft3/s
174 m3/s
A small stream in arid country flows under a railroad bridge high above the water.
14 Brazos River &&&&&&&&&&&&0860.&&&&&0860 mi
1,390 km		 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)) Gulf of Mexico 28°52′33″N 95°22′42″W / 28.87583°N 95.37833°W / 28.87583; -95.37833 (Brazos River (mouth)) &&&&&&&&&&044620.&&&&&044,620 mi2
115,566 km2		 &&&&&&&&&&&08800.&&&&&08,800 ft3/s
249 m3/s
A train crosses a bridge over a wide river.
15 Green River &&&&&&&&&&&&0760.&&&&&0760 mi
1,230 km		 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)) Colorado River 38°11′21″N 109°53′07″W / 38.18917°N 109.88528°W / 38.18917; -109.88528 (Green River (mouth)) &&&&&&&&&&044900.&&&&&044,900 mi2
116,200 km2		 &&&&&&&&&&&06100.&&&&&06,100 ft3/s
172 m3/s
View from an airplane: A river meanders this way and that through a reddish-brown landscape.
16 Pecos River &&&&&&&&&&&&0730.&&&&&0730 mi
1,175 km		 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)) Rio Grande 29°41′59″N 101°22′17″W / 29.69972°N 101.37139°W / 29.69972; -101.37139 (Pecos River (mouth)) &&&&&&&&&&044000.&&&&&044,000 mi2
113,960 km2		 &&&&&&&&&&&&&071.&&&&&071 ft3/s
2 m3/s
A large river flows through a canyon.
17 White River (Arkansas) &&&&&&&&&&&&0720.&&&&&0720 mi
1,159 km		 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)) Mississippi River 33°57′05″N 91°04′53″W / 33.95139°N 91.08139°W / 33.95139; -91.08139 (White River (mouth)) &&&&&&&&&&027872.&&&&&027,872 mi2
72,189 km2		 &&&&&&&&&&034600.&&&&&034,600 ft3/s
979 m3/s
A wide placid river flows by a low wooded hill.
18 James River
 &&&&&&&&&&&&0710.&&&&&0710 mi
1,140 km		 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)) Missouri River 42°52′17″N 97°17′26″W / 42.87139°N 97.29056°W / 42.87139; -97.29056 (James River (mouth)) &&&&&&&&&&020942.&&&&&020,942 mi2
54,240 km2		 &&&&&&&&&&&&0854.&&&&&0854 ft3/s
24.2 m3/s
A small stream winds through a town.
19 Kuskokwim River &&&&&&&&&&&&0702.&&&&&0702 mi
1,130 km		 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)) Bering Sea 60°04′59″N 162°20′02″W / 60.08306°N 162.33389°W / 60.08306; -162.33389 (Kuskokwim River (mouth)) &&&&&&&&&&048000.&&&&&048,000 mi2
124,319 km2		 &&&&&&&&&&067000.&&&&&067,000 ft3s
1,900 m3/s
Men and boats along the shore of a very wide river.
20 Cimarron River &&&&&&&&&&&&0698.&&&&&0698 mi
1,123 km		 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)) Arkansas River 36°10′14″N 96°16′19″W / 36.17056°N 96.27194°W / 36.17056; -96.27194 (Cimarron River (mouth)) &&&&&&&&&&019510.&&&&&019,510 mi2
50,540 km2		 &&&&&&&&&&&01500.&&&&&01,500 ft3/s
42 m3/s
A medium-sized river winds through a flat plain dominated by brown grasses.
21 Cumberland River &&&&&&&&&&&&0696.&&&&&0696 mi
1,120 km		 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)) Ohio River 37°08′36″N 88°24′27″W / 37.14333°N 88.40750°W / 37.14333; -88.40750 (Cumberland River (mouth)) &&&&&&&&&&017930.&&&&&017,930 mi2
46,430 km2		 &&&&&&&&&&030400.&&&&&030,400 ft3/s

862 m3/s
Several canoes pass under a bridge over a wide river in a forest.
22 Yellowstone River &&&&&&&&&&&&0678.&&&&&0678 mi
1,091 km		 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)) Missouri River 47°58′42″N 103°58′56″W / 47.97833°N 103.98222°W / 47.97833; -103.98222 (Yellowstone River (mouth)) &&&&&&&&&&070400.&&&&&070,400 mi2
182,336 km2		 &&&&&&&&&&012800.&&&&&012,800 ft3/s
362 m3/s
Large waterfall encased in ice.
23 North Platte River &&&&&&&&&&&&0665.&&&&&0665 mi
1,070 km		 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)) Platte River 41°06′50″N 100°40′33″W / 41.11389°N 100.67583°W / 41.11389; -100.67583 (North Platte River (mouth)) &&&&&&&&&&034885.&&&&&034,885 mi2
90,352 km2		 &&&&&&&&&&&&0770.&&&&&0770 ft3/s
21.9 m3/s
Canoers run rapids on a boulder-strewn river in the mountains.
24 Milk River &&&&&&&&&&&&0625.&&&&&0625 mi
1,005 kmdagger		 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)) Missouri River 48°03′26″N 106°19′07″W / 48.05722°N 106.31861°W / 48.05722; -106.31861 (Milk River (mouth)) &&&&&&&&&&022332.&&&&&022,332 mi2
57,839 km2
double-dagger		 &&&&&&&&&&&&0670.&&&&&0670 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 &&&&&&&&&&&&0605.&&&&&0605 mi
974 km		 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)) Black River 31°37′53″N 91°48′25″W / 31.63139°N 91.80694°W / 31.63139; -91.80694 (Ouachita River (mouth)) &&&&&&&&&&024886.&&&&&024,886 mi2
64,454 km2		 &&&&&&&&&&029800.&&&&&029,800 ft3/s
843 m3/s
A lock and dam on a medium-sized river
26 St. Lawrence River &&&&&&&&&&&&0600.&&&&&0600 mi
965 km
dagger		 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)) 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)) &&&&&&&&&0620000.&&&&&0620,000 mi2
1,600,000 km2
double-dagger		 &&&&&&&&&0440000.&&&&&0440,000 ft3/s
12,600 m3/s
A large ship travels along a large river bordered by vegetation on one bank and urban development on the other.
27 Gila River &&&&&&&&&&&&0600.&&&&&0600 mi
960 km		 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)) Colorado River 32°43′11″N 114°33′19″W / 32.71972°N 114.55528°W / 32.71972; -114.55528 (Gila River (mouth)) &&&&&&&&&&057850.&&&&&057,850 mi2
149,832 km2
double-dagger		 &&&&&&&&&&&&0210.&&&&&0210 ft3/s
6 m3/s
A shallow river with a sandy bed flows through an arid landscape.
28 Sheyenne River &&&&&&&&&&&&0591.&&&&&0591 mi
951 km		 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)) 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)) &&&&&&&&&&&08800.&&&&&08,800 mi2
23,000 km2
 &&&&&&&&&&&&0288.&&&&&0288 ft3/s
8.2 m3/s
A small river rushes away from the base of a dam.
29 Tanana River &&&&&&&&&&&&0584.&&&&&0584 mi
940 km
 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)) Yukon River 65°09′38″N 151°57′37″W / 65.16056°N 151.96028°W / 65.16056; -151.96028 (Tanana River (mouth)) &&&&&&&&&&044000.&&&&&044,000 mi2
114,000 km2		 &&&&&&&&&&041800.&&&&&041,800 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 &&&&&&&&&&&&0576.&&&&&0576 mi
927 km		 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)) Kansas River 39°03′36″N 96°48′04″W / 39.06000°N 96.80111°W / 39.06000; -96.80111 (Smoky Hill (mouth)) &&&&&&&&&&019260.&&&&&019,260 mi2
49,900 km2
 &&&&&&&&&&&01542.&&&&&01,542 ft3/s
43.7 m3/s
A small, muddy river, as seen from a bridge, meanders between tree-lined banks.
31 Niobrara River &&&&&&&&&&&&0568.&&&&&0568 mi
914 km		 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)) Missouri River 42°45′58″N 98°02′50″W / 42.76611°N 98.04722°W / 42.76611; -98.04722 (Niobrara River (mouth)) &&&&&&&&&&012600.&&&&&012,600 mi2
32,600 km2		 &&&&&&&&&&&01700.&&&&&01,700 ft3/s
49 m3/s
A small river flows through a field of grass and yellow flowers.
32 Little Missouri River &&&&&&&&&&&&0560.&&&&&0560 mi
900 km		 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)) Missouri River 47°36′38″N 102°52′24″W / 47.61056°N 102.87333°W / 47.61056; -102.87333 (Little Missouri River (mouth)) &&&&&&&&&&&08310.&&&&&08,310 mi2
21,500 km2
 &&&&&&&&&&&&0450.&&&&&0450 ft3/s
13 m3/s
A small river meanders through a landscape of forests, bluffs, and rocky outcrops.
33 Sabine River &&&&&&&&&&&&0553.&&&&&0553 mi
890 km		 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)) Gulf of Mexico 29°59′08″N 93°47′26″W / 29.98556°N 93.79056°W / 29.98556; -93.79056 (Sabine River (mouth)) &&&&&&&&&&&09756.&&&&&09,756 mi2
25,268 km2		 &&&&&&&&&&&08400.&&&&&08,400 ft3/s
238 m3/s
A wide river flows under a highway bridge.
34 Red River of the North &&&&&&&&&&&&0550.&&&&&0550 mi
890 km
dagger		 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)) Lake Winnipeg 50°23′47″N 96°48′39″W / 50.39639°N 96.81083°W / 50.39639; -96.81083 (Red River (mouth)) &&&&&&&&&0111000.&&&&&0111,000 mi2
287,500 km2
double-dagger		 &&&&&&&&&&&08300.&&&&&08,300 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 &&&&&&&&&&&&0525.&&&&&0525 mi
845 km		 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)) Mississippi River 41°22′52″N 91°25′21″W / 41.38111°N 91.42250°W / 41.38111; -91.42250 (Des Moines River (mouth)) &&&&&&&&&&012018.&&&&&012,018 mi2
31,127 km2		 &&&&&&&&&&&06400.&&&&&06,400 ft3/s
182 m3/s
A placid river flows through a prairie landscape.
36 White River (Missouri River) &&&&&&&&&&&&0506.&&&&&0506 mi
815 km		 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)) Missouri River 43°42′50″N 99°28′01″W / 43.71389°N 99.46694°W / 43.71389; -99.46694 (White River (mouth)) &&&&&&&&&&010200.&&&&&010,200 mi2
26,418 km2		 &&&&&&&&&&&&0570.&&&&&0570 ft3/s
16 m3/s
A small stream flows through grasses and shrubs at the base of a rocky hill.
37 Trinity River &&&&&&&&&&&&0506.&&&&&0506 mi
815 km		 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)) Galveston Bay 29°44′35″N 94°42′12″W / 29.74306°N 94.70333°W / 29.74306; -94.70333 (Trinity River (mouth)) &&&&&&&&&&017970.&&&&&017,970 mi2
46,540 km2		 &&&&&&&&&&&07800.&&&&&07,800 ft3/s
222 m3/s
A middle-sized river flows by a factory with two tall smokestacks.
38 Wabash River &&&&&&&&&&&&0503.&&&&&0503 mi
810 km		 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)) Ohio River 37°47′53″N 88°01′38″W / 37.79806°N 88.02722°W / 37.79806; -88.02722 (Wabash River (mouth)) &&&&&&&&&&032950.&&&&&032,950 mi2
85,340 km2		 &&&&&&&&&&&01001.&&&&&01,001 ft3/s
28 m3/s
A middle-sized river with sandy and grassy banks flows under a bridge.

Map

Longest Rivers of the US with labels fixed again 2
Map of North America showing all rivers on this list.

See also

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List of longest rivers of the United States (by main stem) Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.