List of rivers of Texas facts for kids

Texas is a huge state, and it's full of amazing waterways! There are over 3,700 named streams and 15 major rivers flowing through Texas. These rivers and streams stretch for more than 191,000 kilometers (that's a lot of water!). All of Texas's waterways eventually flow into one of three main places: the mighty Mississippi River, the Texas Gulf Coast, or the Rio Grande. Many of them end up in seven large estuaries, which are places where fresh river water mixes with salty ocean water.

How Rivers Work in Texas

Rivers and streams are like nature's highways for water. They collect water from rain and snowmelt across a large area called a drainage basin. Think of a drainage basin as a giant funnel that guides all the water into one main river. Smaller streams and rivers that flow into a larger river are called tributaries. The place where a river ends, often by flowing into another river, a lake, or the ocean, is called its mouth.

Rivers Flowing to the Mississippi River

Some Texas rivers are part of the huge Mississippi River system. The most important one here is the Red River. It forms part of the border between Texas and Oklahoma.

The Red River Drainage Basin

• The Red River has many smaller rivers and creeks that flow into it, like:
  • Sulphur River
  • Wichita River
  • Pease River
• Another important river in this group is the Canadian River. It flows through the Texas Panhandle before joining the Arkansas River, which then flows into the Mississippi.

Rivers Flowing to the Gulf of Mexico

Many Texas rivers flow directly into the Gulf of Mexico, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean. These rivers are super important for wildlife and people in Texas.

The Sabine and Neches rivers

The Neches River Drainage Basin

• The Sabine River forms part of the border between Texas and Louisiana.
• The Neches River is another big river that flows into the Gulf.
  • The Angelina River is a major tributary of the Neches.

The Trinity River Drainage Basin

• The Trinity River flows through major cities like Dallas and Fort Worth.
  • It has several forks, like the East Fork, Elm Fork, and West Fork.

The San Jacinto River Drainage Basin

• The San Jacinto River flows near Houston.
  • A famous tributary is Buffalo Bayou, which runs right through downtown Houston.

The Brazos River Drainage Basin

• The Brazos River is one of the longest rivers in Texas.
  • It has many tributaries, including the Navasota River and the Little River.

The Colorado River Drainage Basin

• The Colorado River is another very long river that flows across Texas.
  • Important tributaries include the Pedernales River and the Llano River.

The Guadalupe River Drainage Basin

The San Antonio River Drainage Basin

• The Guadalupe River is popular for recreation like tubing.
  • The San Antonio River flows through the city of San Antonio and joins the Guadalupe.
    • The Medina River is a tributary of the San Antonio River.

The Nueces River Drainage Basin

• The Nueces River flows through South Texas.
  • Its main tributary is the Frio River, known for its clear, cool water.

Rivers Flowing to the Rio Grande

The Rio Grande is a very special river. It forms the entire border between Texas and Mexico.

The Rio Grande Drainage Basin

• The Devils River is a tributary known for its beautiful, clear water.
• The Pecos River is another major tributary that flows into the Rio Grande. Much of it is in New Mexico before it reaches Texas.

Longest Rivers in Texas

Texas has some really long rivers! Here are the top 10, showing how much of their length is in Texas:

1. Rio Grande – This river is 1,896 kilometers long, with 1,250 kilometers forming the border of Texas.
2. Red River – It's 1,360 kilometers long, and 680 kilometers are in Texas.
3. Brazos River – This river is 1,280 kilometers long. A huge 840 kilometers of it are in Texas, making it the longest river section entirely within the state.
4. Pecos River – It's 926 kilometers long, with most of it in New Mexico.
5. Colorado River – This river is 862 kilometers long and almost entirely in Texas. About 600 kilometers of it usually have water flowing.
6. Canadian River – It's 760 kilometers long, with 200 kilometers in Texas.
7. Trinity River – This river is 423 kilometers long and completely within Texas.
8. Sabine River – It's 360 kilometers long, and all of it is in Texas.
9. Neches River – This river is 416 kilometers long and entirely within Texas.
10. Nueces River – It's 315 kilometers long and completely within Texas.

The Trinity River is special because its entire drainage basin (the area that collects water for it) is within Texas. The Colorado River is the longest river that starts and ends within Texas, based on its main name.

Shortest River in Texas

Texas also has one of the shortest rivers in the United States! The Comal River is the shortest river in Texas. It's only about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) long! This tiny river is fed by springs and is located entirely within the city of New Braunfels in Central Texas. It's a popular spot for swimming and tubing.

See also

• List of rivers in the United States
• List of geographical regions in Texas