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List of rivers of Minnesota facts for kids

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Minnesota is a state famous for its many lakes, but it also has thousands of rivers and streams! These waterways are super important. They flow for about 69,000 miles (111,000 km) all across the state.

The mighty Mississippi River starts its long journey right here in Minnesota. It begins at Lake Itasca and travels about 680 miles (1,090 km) through Minnesota before reaching the Iowa border. Along the way, other big rivers join it, like the Minnesota River near Fort Snelling and the St. Croix River near Hastings.

Another major river, the Red River, flows north from Minnesota into Canada. It drains the northwest part of the state, which was once covered by a giant ancient lake called Lake Agassiz.

Map of watersheds and basins in Minnesota
Watersheds of Minnesota

Understanding Watersheds

A watershed is like a giant bowl. It's an area of land where all the rain and snowmelt drain into a common river, lake, or ocean. Think of it as a big funnel for water!

Minnesota's rivers are grouped by which larger body of water they eventually flow into. These groups are called drainage basins or watersheds. Some rivers flow into the Great Lakes, some into the Mississippi River, and others into Hudson Bay in Canada.

Major River Basins in Minnesota

Minnesota has three main river basins. Each one sends its water in a different direction!

Great Lakes Basin

Water in this basin eventually flows into Lake Superior, one of the Great Lakes. From there, it travels through other Great Lakes and eventually reaches the Atlantic Ocean.

Lake Superior Rivers

Lake Superior Watershed
Lake Superior drainage basin

Many rivers in northeastern Minnesota flow directly into Lake Superior. These include:

  • Pigeon River (Minnesota, Ontario) – This river is about 31.2 miles (50.2 km) long.
  • Brule River – It flows for about 40.4 miles (65.0 km).
  • Cascade River – This river is about 17.1 miles (27.5 km) long.
  • Poplar River – It stretches for about 21.7 miles (34.9 km).
  • Temperance River – This river is about 39.2 miles (63.1 km) long.
  • Manitou River – It flows for about 24.9 miles (40.1 km).
  • Baptism River – This river is about 8.8 miles (14.2 km) long.
  • Beaver River – It flows for about 23.4 miles (37.7 km).
  • Gooseberry River – This river is about 23 miles (37 km) long.
  • Knife River – It flows for about 23.9 miles (38.5 km).
  • French River – This river is about 13 miles (21 km) long.
  • Lester River – It flows for about 19.3 miles (31.1 km).
  • St. Louis River (Minnesota, Wisconsin) – This is a very important river, about 192 miles (309 km) long.
    • Cloquet River – A major tributary of the St. Louis River, about 104 miles (167 km) long.
  • Nemadji River – This river is about 70.8 miles (114.0 km) long.

Mississippi River Basin

The largest river basin in Minnesota is the one that feeds into the Mississippi River. This mighty river flows all the way to the Gulf of Mexico.

Upper Mississippi River (Below St. Anthony Falls)

This part of the Mississippi River basin includes rivers that join the Mississippi after it passes Saint Anthony Falls.

  • Mississippi River – The longest river in the United States, about 2,320 miles (3,730 km) long in total. About 680 miles (1,090 km) of it are in Minnesota.

St. Croix River Basin

The St. Croix River is a beautiful river that forms part of the border between Minnesota and Wisconsin. It's about 169 miles (272 km) long and eventually flows into the Mississippi River.

Stcroixmnwirivermap
St. Croix River drainage basin

Some rivers that flow into the St. Croix River include:

  • Sunrise River – About 39.1 miles (62.9 km) long.
  • Snake River – About 104 miles (167 km) long.
  • Kettle River – About 83.6 miles (134.5 km) long.

Minnesota River Basin

The Minnesota River is the longest river that flows entirely within Minnesota. It's about 370 miles (600 km) long and joins the Mississippi River near the Twin Cities.

Minnesotarivermap
Minnesota River drainage basin

Important rivers that flow into the Minnesota River include:

Upper Mississippi River (Headwaters Region)

This section covers rivers that flow into the Mississippi River before it reaches St. Anthony Falls, including the area where the river begins.

Hudson Bay Basin

Water in this basin flows north into Canada and eventually reaches the Hudson Bay.

Red River of the North Basin

The Red River of the North is the second-longest river flowing through Minnesota. It forms the border with North Dakota and flows north into Manitoba, Canada. It's about 550 miles (890 km) long, with about 457.1 miles (735.6 km) in Minnesota.

Redrivernorthmap
Red River of the North drainage basin

Rivers that flow into the Red River of the North include:

Lake of the Woods Basin

Water in this basin flows into Lake of the Woods, a large lake on the border with Canada. From there, it eventually reaches Hudson Bay.

  • Rainy River – This river forms part of the border with Ontario, Canada. It's about 137 miles (220 km) long.
    • Big Fork River – About 168 miles (270 km) long.
    • Little Fork River – About 160 miles (260 km) long.
  • Rainy Lake/Kabetogama Lake/Namakan Lake/Crane Lake – These lakes are part of a connected system that feeds the Rainy River.
    • Vermilion River – This river flows into Vermilion Lake, which is connected to this system.
    • Kawishiwi River – This river flows through many lakes and connects to the system.
      • South Kawishiwi River – A major branch of the Kawishiwi River.
      • Isabella River – Another important tributary.
  • Knife River – This river flows into Knife Lake.
  • Saganaga Lake – A large lake on the border with Canada.

Alphabetical List of Rivers

Minnesota has so many rivers and streams, it would be a very long list to name them all! The state has 6,564 natural rivers and streams. Some of these are even special "trout streams," which means they are great for fishing.

Images for kids

  • Mississippi watershed map 1

    Mississippi River drainage basin

  • Desmoinesrivermap

    Des Moines River watershed

  • Iowarivermap

    Iowa River watershed

  • Root River and major tributaries

    Root River tributaries

  • Minnesotarivermap

    Minnesota River drainage basin

  • Stlouisrivermap

    Map of the Saint Louis River drainage basin showing the Cloquet River

  • Hudson-bassin

    Hudson Bay drainage basin

See also

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List of rivers of Minnesota Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.