List of rivers of South Dakota facts for kids
South Dakota is a state in the United States known for its wide-open spaces and important rivers. These rivers are like the veins of the land, carrying water across the state. They are very important for nature, providing homes for animals and plants. People also use them for farming, drinking water, and fun activities like fishing and boating.
The rivers in South Dakota flow into three main watersheds. A watershed is an area of land where all the water drains into one main river or lake. Understanding these watersheds helps us see how all the rivers and creeks are connected.
Contents
Main Rivers and Their Branches
South Dakota's rivers are part of larger river systems. Here are the main rivers and some of their important branches.
Minnesota River Watershed
The Minnesota River starts in South Dakota and flows east into Minnesota. It's part of the larger Mississippi River system.
- Little Minnesota River
- Jorgenson River
- Whetstone River
- North Fork Yellow Bank River
- South Fork Yellow Bank River
- West Branch Lac qui Parle River
Missouri River System
The Missouri River is the longest river in North America. It flows right through South Dakota and is the state's most important river. Many other rivers and creeks in South Dakota flow into the Missouri River.
- Little Missouri River
- Grand River
- Lodgepole Creek
- North Fork Grand River
- South Fork Grand River
- Moreau River
- Little Moreau River
- Cheyenne River
- Battle Creek
- Iron Creek
- French Creek
- Fall River
- Rapid Creek
- Castle Creek
- Belle Fourche River
- Owl Creek
- Redwater River
- Spearfish Creek
- Cherry Creek
- Battle Creek
- Bad River
- American Creek
- White River
- Niobrara River (This river is mostly in Nebraska, but some of its branches start in South Dakota.)
- James River
- Elm River
- Maple River
- Elm River
- Vermillion River
- Baptist Creek
- Little Vermillion River
- Spirit Mound Creek
- Ponca Creek
- Big Sioux River
- Indian River
- Skunk Creek
- Split Rock Creek
Red River of the North Watershed
The Red River of the North flows north towards Canada. A small part of its watershed is in the northeastern corner of South Dakota.
Rivers in Alphabetical Order
Here is a list of rivers in South Dakota, organized from A to Z.
- American Creek
- Bad River
- Baptist Creek
- Belle Fourche River
- Big Sioux River
- Bois de Sioux River
- Castle Creek
- Cherry Creek
- Cheyenne River
- Elm River
- Fall River
- French Creek
- Grand River
- Indian River
- James River
- Jorgenson River
- Keya Paha River
- Lac qui Parle River, West Branch
- Laundreaux Creek
- Little Minnesota River
- Little Missouri River
- Little Moreau River
- Little Vermillion River
- Little White River
- Maple River
- Missouri River
- Moreau River
- North Fork Grand River
- Owl Creek
- Ponca Creek
- Rapid Creek
- Redwater River
- Skunk Creek
- South Fork Grand River
- Spearfish Creek
- Spirit Mound Creek
- Split Rock Creek
- Vermillion River
- Whetstone River
- White River
- Wounded Knee Creek
- Yellow Bank River, North Fork and South Fork
See also
