List of rivers of New York facts for kids

The Raquette River, in Colton, New York

New York State is home to many amazing rivers! These rivers are like natural highways, carrying water across the land. They are super important for many reasons, like providing drinking water, helping with transportation, and creating beautiful places for nature and recreation. Rivers also play a big role in the history and economy of New York.

New York's River Basins

Rivers don't just flow anywhere; they follow paths called "drainage basins." Think of a basin as a giant bowl where all the rain and melted snow collect and flow into one main river, which then empties into a larger body of water like an ocean or a big lake. New York has rivers that flow into several major basins across the eastern United States and Canada.

Rivers Flowing to Long Island Sound

Long Island Sound is shown highlighted in pink between Connecticut (to the north) and Long Island (to the south).

On the northern side of Long Island Sound, some rivers start in New York and flow into the Sound, which is a large saltwater estuary. These rivers are often shorter and important for local communities.

• Rippowam River
• Mianus River
• Byram River
• Hutchinson River

Rivers of Long Island

Long Island itself has many smaller rivers and creeks that flow directly into the Long Island Sound, Block Island Sound, or the Atlantic Ocean. These rivers are vital for the island's environment and wildlife.

• Nissequogue River (flows into Long Island Sound)
• Peconic River (flows into Block Island Sound)
• Carmans River (flows into the Atlantic Ocean)
• Connetquot River (flows into the Atlantic Ocean)

Rivers of New York Harbor

New York City waterways: 1. Hudson River, 2. East River, 3. Long Island Sound, 4. Newark Bay, 5. Upper New York Bay, 6. Lower New York Bay, 7. Jamaica Bay, 8. Atlantic Ocean

The area around New York City has several important waterways that connect to New York Harbor. These are often tidal straits, meaning the water level changes with the ocean tides.

• Arthur Kill (a tidal strait)
• Hackensack River
• East River (a tidal strait)
• Harlem River (a tidal strait)
• Bronx River (a true river flowing into the East River)

The Mighty Hudson River Basin

Hudson drainage basin

The Hudson River is one of New York's most famous and important rivers. It flows south for over 300 miles from the Adirondack Mountains all the way to New York Harbor. It's a major waterway for shipping and has a rich history. Many other rivers and creeks flow into the Hudson, forming its large basin.

• Hudson River
  • Saw Mill River
  • Croton River
  • Fishkill Creek
  • Wappinger Creek
  • Rondout Creek (a major tributary)
    • Wallkill River (a large river flowing into the Rondout)
  • Esopus Creek
  • Catskill Creek
  • Kinderhook Creek
  • Mohawk River (the Hudson's largest tributary)
    • Schoharie Creek (a major tributary of the Mohawk)
    • West Canada Creek
  • Hoosic River
  • Sacandaga River
  • Schroon River

Delaware River Basin

Delaware drainage basin

The Delaware River forms part of New York's border with Pennsylvania. Its headwaters (where it begins) are in the Catskill Mountains of New York. This river system is a crucial source of drinking water for millions of people, including those in New York City.

• Delaware River
  • Neversink River
  • Mongaup River
  • East Branch Delaware River
    • Beaver Kill
  • West Branch Delaware River

Susquehanna River Basin

Susquehanna drainage basin

The Susquehanna River is one of the longest rivers on the East Coast of the United States. While much of it flows through Pennsylvania and Maryland, its headwaters are in New York. Rivers in this basin flow south towards the Chesapeake Bay.

• Susquehanna River
  • Chemung River
    • Cohocton River
    • Tioga River
  • Owego Creek
  • Chenango River
    • Tioughnioga River
  • Unadilla River
  • Oaks Creek

St. Lawrence River Basin

Rivers in this basin flow north towards the Saint Lawrence River, which eventually leads to the Atlantic Ocean via the Gulf of St. Lawrence. This basin includes rivers that flow into Lake Champlain and the Great Lakes.

Lake Champlain

Lake Champlain drainage basin

Several rivers in northeastern New York flow into Lake Champlain, a large freshwater lake that sits between New York and Vermont.

• Great Chazy River
• Saranac River
• Salmon River
• Ausable River
• Boquet River

St. Lawrence River Direct Tributaries

St. Lawrence/Great Lakes drainage basin

Some rivers in northern New York flow directly into the Saint Lawrence River.

• Chateauguay River
• Salmon River
• St. Regis River
• Raquette River
• Grass River
• Oswegatchie River

Lake Ontario

Black drainage basin

Many rivers in central and western New York flow into Lake Ontario, one of the Great Lakes.

• Black River
  • Beaver River
  • Moose River
• Sandy Creek (Jefferson County, New York)
• Salmon River
• Oswego River
  • Oneida River
    • Chittenango Creek
      • Butternut Creek
  • Seneca River
    • Skaneateles Creek
    • Owasco Outlet
    • Clyde River
    • Keuka Lake Outlet
    • Catharine Creek
• Genesee River
• Niagara River (connects Lake Erie to Lake Ontario)
  • Tonawanda Creek
  • Scajaquada Creek

Lake Erie

Rivers in far western New York flow into Lake Erie, another one of the Great Lakes.

• Buffalo River
  • Cazenovia Creek
• Eighteen Mile Creek
• Cattaraugus Creek
• Chautauqua Creek

Mississippi River Basin

Believe it or not, some rivers in New York eventually reach the Mississippi River! This happens in the southwestern part of the state, where rivers flow into the Allegheny River, which then joins the Ohio River, and finally the Mississippi, leading all the way to the Gulf of Mexico.

• Allegheny River
  • French Creek
  • Conewango Creek
    • Chadakoin River
  • Tunungwant Creek
  • Olean Creek

See also

• List of waterways
• List of canals in the United States
• List of rivers of the United States