List of rivers of New Mexico facts for kids
New Mexico is a state in the United States known for its beautiful landscapes. Many rivers flow through New Mexico, creating important waterways for people and wildlife. This page lists the main rivers in New Mexico. It also shows their smaller branches, called tributaries, which flow into the larger rivers. The rivers are grouped by the big areas they drain, like the Mississippi River or the Rio Grande.
The rivers are divided into two main groups based on the Continental Divide. This is a high ridge of mountains that separates which ocean a river's water will eventually reach. Rivers on the east side flow towards the Atlantic Ocean (often through the Gulf of Mexico), while rivers on the west side flow towards the Pacific Ocean.
Contents
Rivers East of the Continental Divide
Mississippi River System
The rivers in this section eventually flow into the mighty Mississippi River, which then empties into the Gulf of Mexico.
- Mississippi River (This huge river flows through states like Louisiana and Arkansas)
- Arkansas River (It flows through Arkansas and Oklahoma)
- Canadian River
- North Canadian River (This river is in Oklahoma)
- Canadian River
- Arkansas River (It flows through Arkansas and Oklahoma)
* Beaver River (Sometimes called the North Canadian River)
-
-
-
- Punta de Agua Creek (This creek is in Texas)
-
-
* Rita Blanca Creek (Also in Texas) ** Carrizo Creek (New Mexico/Texas) * Tramperos Creek
-
-
-
- Ute Creek
- La Cinta Creek
- Conchas River
- Mora River
-
-
* Sapello River
-
-
-
- Cimarron River
- Vermejo River
- Dry Cimarron River
- Purgatoire River
-
-
Rio Grande River System
The Rio Grande is one of the longest rivers in North America. It forms part of the border between the United States and Mexico. Many rivers in New Mexico flow into the Rio Grande.
- Rio Grande
- Costilla Creek
- Pecos River
- Delaware River
- Black River
- Rio Penasco
- Rio Felix
- Rio Hondo (Southern New Mexico)
- Berrendo River
- Rio Bonito
- Rio Ruidoso
- Arroyo del Macho
- Gallo Arroyo
- Taiban Creek
- Pintada Arroyo
- Gallinas River
- Alamosa Creek
- Rio Salado
- Rio Puerco
- Rio San Jose
- Arroyo Chico
- Jemez River
- Santa Fe River
- Pojoaque River
- Rio Chupadero
- Rio Chama
- Rio Ojo Caliente
- Rio Vallecitos
- Rio Tusas
- Rio del Oso
- El Rito
- Rio Puerco
- Rio Gallina
- Rio Capulin
- Rio Cebolla
- Rio Nutrias
- Rio Brazos
- Rio Chamita
- Rio Ojo Caliente
- Embudo Creek
- Rio Pueblo de Taos
- Rio Hondo (Northern New Mexico)
- Red River
Rivers in the Interior Basin
Some rivers in New Mexico flow into areas called "interior basins." This means their water does not reach the ocean. Instead, it collects in a lake or dries up in the desert.
Rivers West of the Continental Divide
Colorado River System
Rivers in this section flow towards the Colorado River, which eventually reaches the Pacific Ocean through the Gulf of California.
- Colorado River (This major river flows through Arizona, Utah, and Colorado)
- Gila River
- San Francisco River
- Tularosa River
- San Francisco River
- Little Colorado River (This river is in Arizona)
- Puerco River
- Zuni River
- Rio Nutria
- Rio Pescado
- San Juan River
- Chaco River
- La Plata River
- Animas River
- Los Pinos River
- Navajo River
- Gila River
See also
