List of tributaries of the Rio Grande facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The Rio Grande is one of the longest rivers in North America! It flows for about 1,896 miles (3,051 kilometers) from Colorado in the United States all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. But a big river like the Rio Grande doesn't flow alone. It gets water from many smaller rivers and streams that join it along its journey. These smaller rivers are called tributaries.

Imagine a tree: the main trunk is the Rio Grande, and the branches are its tributaries. Even smaller streams that flow into the branches are called sub-tributaries. These rivers are super important because they bring water, nutrients, and even help shape the land. Along these rivers, you'll also find dams and reservoirs. A dam is a big wall built across a river to hold back water, creating a reservoir or lake. These reservoirs store water for drinking, farming, and even making electricity!

This article will take you on a journey up the Rio Grande, starting from where it meets the ocean and moving upstream. We'll explore its amazing network of tributaries and the important dams and reservoirs that help manage its waters.

Rivers Joining the Rio Grande: From Mouth to Upstream
See also

Rivers Joining the Rio Grande: From Mouth to Upstream

The Rio Grande collects water from many rivers as it flows towards the Gulf of Mexico. Here are some of its key tributaries, listed from the closest to the ocean, moving upstream.

Rivers in Texas, Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, and Coahuila

Near the mouth of the Rio Grande, several important rivers join it. These rivers are vital for the communities and wildlife in this region.

San Juan River (Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, Coahuila): This is a major river that flows into the Rio Grande.
- Marte R. Gómez Dam and Marte R. Gómez Reservoir (Tamaulipas): This dam creates a large lake, storing water for many uses.
- Pesquería River (Nuevo León): This river flows into the San Juan River.
  - Salinas River (Nuevo León): A smaller river that joins the Pesquería.
Rio Alamo (Tamaulipas): Another river contributing to the Rio Grande.
- Las Blancas Dam (Tamaulipas): A dam on the Alamo River.
Falcon Dam and Falcon International Reservoir (Tamaulipas and Texas): This is a huge dam and reservoir shared by both the United States and Mexico. It's a very important water source.
Salado River (Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas): A significant tributary that flows through several Mexican states.
- Sabinas Hidalgo River (Nuevo León): Joins the Salado River.
- Candela River (Nuevo León and Coahuila): Another branch of the Salado River system.
- Presa Venustiano Carranza (dam and reservoir) (Coahuila): A dam on one of the Salado's branches.
- Rio Nadadores (Coahuila): A river that feeds into the Salado.
  - Rio Monclova (Coahuila): A sub-tributary of the Nadadores.
- Sabinas River (Coahuila): An important river in Coahuila.
- Rio Alamos (Coahuila): Another river in the Salado system.
San Ildefonso Creek (Texas): A smaller creek in Texas.
Chacon Creek (Texas): Another Texas creek.
- San Ygnacio Creek (Texas): Joins Chacon Creek.
Zacate Creek (Texas): A creek in Texas.
Sombrerillito Creek (Texas): Another Texas creek.
Santa Isabel Creek (Texas): A creek in Texas.
Rio Escondido (Coahuila): A river in Coahuila.
- Arroyo San Antonio (Coahuila): Joins the Rio Escondido.
Rio San Rodrigo (Coahuila): A river in Coahuila.
- La Fragua Dam and La Fragua Reservoir (Coahuila): A dam and reservoir on the San Rodrigo.
Las Moras Creek (Texas): A creek in Texas.
Tequesquite Creek (Texas) (Texas): Another Texas creek.
Rio San Diego (Coahuila and Nuevo León): A river flowing through two Mexican states.
Cow Creek (Rio Grande) (Texas): A creek in Texas.
Pinto Creek (Texas): Another Texas creek.
Sycamore Creek (Val Verde County) (Texas): A creek in Val Verde County.
- Mud Creek (Kinney County) (Texas): Joins Sycamore Creek.
Zorro Creek (Val Verde County) (Texas): A creek in Val Verde County.
San Felipe Creek (Texas): A creek in Texas.
Arroyo de las Vacas (Coahuila): A creek in Coahuila.
Arroyo de los Jaboncillos (Coahuila): Another creek in Coahuila.

Rivers Near Amistad Reservoir

Moving further upstream, we reach the large Amistad Reservoir, another important shared water body.

Amistad Dam and Amistad Reservoir (Texas and Coahuila): This massive dam creates a huge lake, providing water and recreation for both countries.
- Devils River (Texas): A beautiful and wild river that flows into Amistad Reservoir.

Rivers in Texas and New Mexico

As the Rio Grande continues its journey north, it picks up water from rivers in Texas and New Mexico.

Pecos River (Texas and New Mexico): A very long and important river that joins the Rio Grande.
- Red Bluff Dam and Red Bluff Reservoir (Texas and New Mexico): A dam and reservoir on the Pecos.
- Delaware River (Texas and New Mexico): Joins the Pecos.
- Black River (New Mexico): Another tributary of the Pecos.
- Rio Penasco (New Mexico): A river in New Mexico.
- Rio Felix (New Mexico): Joins the Pecos.
- Cow Creek (New Mexico): A creek in New Mexico.
- Rio Hondo (New Mexico): A significant river in southern New Mexico.
  - Two Rivers Reservoir (New Mexico): A reservoir on the Rio Hondo.
  - Rio Bonito (New Mexico): Joins the Rio Hondo.
  - Rio Ruidoso (New Mexico): Another sub-tributary of the Rio Hondo.
- Gallinas River (New Mexico): Joins the Pecos River.
San Francisco Creek (Texas): A creek in Texas.
Maravillas Creek (Texas): Another Texas creek.
Arroyo del a Guaje (Coahuila): A creek in Coahuila.
- Laguna del Guaje (Coahuila): A lake associated with this creek.
Terlingua Creek (Texas): A creek in Texas.
Rio San Carlos (Chihuahua): A river in Chihuahua, Mexico.
Alamito Creek (Texas): A creek in Texas.

Rivers in Chihuahua and New Mexico

Further north, the Rio Grande receives water from major rivers in Chihuahua, Mexico, and New Mexico, USA.

Rio Conchos (Chihuahua and Durango): This is one of the most important tributaries of the Rio Grande, especially for water flow.
- El Granero Dam (Luis L. Leon Dam) and El Granero Reservoir (Chihuahua): A dam and reservoir on the Conchos.
- Rio Chuviscar (Chihuahua): Joins the Rio Conchos.
  - Rio Sacramento (Chihuahua): A sub-tributary of the Chuviscar.
- San Pedro River (Chihuahua): Another important tributary of the Conchos.
  - Francisco I. Madero Dam and Francisco I. Madero Reservoir (Chihuahua): A dam and reservoir on the San Pedro.
  - Rio Santa Isabel (Chiahuahua): Joins the San Pedro.
- Florido River (Chihuahua and Durango): A river that flows into the Conchos.
  - Parral River (Chihuahua and Durango): Joins the Florido.
- Lago Colina Dam and Lake Colina (Chihuahua): A dam and lake on the Conchos system.
- La Boquilla Dam and Toronto Lake (Chihuahua): Another significant dam and lake on the Conchos.
- Balleza River (Chihuahua and Durango): A river in the Conchos basin.
- Rio Nonoava (Chihuahua): Another river in the Conchos system.
Green River (Texas): A creek in Texas.
Rio Viego (Chihuahua): A river in Chihuahua.
International Dam and International Reservoir (Texas and Chihuahua): Another dam and reservoir shared by the US and Mexico.
American Diversion Dam and American Reservoir (Texas): A dam and reservoir in Texas.
Rincon Arroyo (New Mexico): A dry creek bed that can carry water during rains.
Caballo Dam and Caballo Lake (New Mexico): A dam and lake in New Mexico.
Elephant Butte Dam and Elephant Butte Reservoir (New Mexico): One of the largest dams and reservoirs on the Rio Grande, vital for water storage in New Mexico.
Rio Salado (New Mexico): A river in New Mexico.
Rio Puerco (New Mexico): A significant tributary in New Mexico.
- Rio San Jose (New Mexico): Joins the Rio Puerco.
  - Rio San Juan (New Mexico): A sub-tributary.
  - Bluewater Creek (New Mexico): Another sub-tributary.
    - Bluewater Lake (New Mexico): A lake on Bluewater Creek.
Jemez River (New Mexico): A river in New Mexico.
- Jemez Canyon Dam and Jemez Canyon Reservoir (New Mexico): A dam and reservoir on the Jemez River.
- Rio Salado (New Mexico): Joins the Jemez River.
- Rio Guadalupe (New Mexico): Another tributary of the Jemez.
- San Antonio Creek (New Mexico): Joins the Jemez.
- East Fork Jemez River (New Mexico): A fork of the Jemez River.
  - Jaramillo Creek: A small creek.
Santa Fe River (New Mexico): Flows through the city of Santa Fe.
Cochiti Dam and Cochiti Lake (New Mexico): A dam and lake in New Mexico.
Rio Chiquito (New Mexico): A small river in New Mexico.
Pojoaque River (New Mexico): A river in New Mexico.
- Rio Chupadero (New Mexico): Joins the Pojoaque.
Santa Cruz River (New Mexico): A river in New Mexico.

Rivers in New Mexico and Colorado

Closer to the Rio Grande's source, more rivers from New Mexico and Colorado join the main stem.

Rio Chama (New Mexico and Colorado): A major tributary of the Rio Grande, starting in Colorado and flowing through New Mexico.
- Rio Ojo Caliente (New Mexico): Joins the Rio Chama.
  - Rio Vallecitos (New Mexico): A sub-tributary.
  - Rio Tusas (New Mexico): Another sub-tributary.
- Rio del Oso (New Mexico): Joins the Rio Chama.
  - Gallina Creek (New Mexico): A creek.
- El Rito (New Mexico): A river in New Mexico.
- Abiquiu Creek (New Mexico): Joins the Rio Chama.
  - Vallecitos Creek (New Mexico): A creek.
- Abiquiu Dam and Abiquiu Lake (New Mexico): A dam and lake on the Rio Chama.
- Cañones Creek (New Mexico): Joins the Rio Chama.
  - Polvadera Creek (New Mexico): A creek.
  - Chihuahueños Creek (New Mexico): Another creek.
  - Barrancones Creek (New Mexico): A creek.
- Canjilon Creek (New Mexico): Joins the Rio Chama.
- Rio Puerco (New Mexico): A different Rio Puerco that joins the Rio Chama.
  - Coyote Creek (New Mexico): A creek.
  - Poleo Creek (New Mexico): Another creek.
  - Rito Redondo (New Mexico): A small stream.
    - Rito Resumidero (New Mexico): A very small stream.
- Rio Gallina (New Mexico): Joins the Rio Chama.
  - Rio Capulin (New Mexico): A small river.
- Rio Cebolla (New Mexico): Joins the Rio Chama.
- Rio Nutrias (New Mexico): Another river.
- El Vado Dam and El Vado Lake (New Mexico): A dam and lake on the Rio Chama.
  - Willow Creek (New Mexico): A creek.
    - Heron Dam and Heron Lake (New Mexico): A dam and lake on Willow Creek.
- Rio Brazos (New Mexico): Joins the Rio Chama.
- Rio Chamita (New Mexico): A river in New Mexico.
Rio de Truchas (New Mexico): A river in New Mexico.
Rio Pueblo de Taos (New Mexico): A river near Taos.
Rio Hondo (New Mexico): A river in northern New Mexico.
Red River (New Mexico): A river in New Mexico.
Costilla Creek (New Mexico): A creek in New Mexico.
Conejos River (Colorado): A major tributary in Colorado.
- Rio San Antonio (Colorado): Joins the Conejos River.
  - Rio de los Pinos (Colorado and New Mexico): A river flowing through both states.
    - North Fork Rio de los Pinos (Colorado): A fork of the Rio de los Pinos.
  - Rio Nutritas (New Mexico): A river in New Mexico.
- Platoro Dam and Platoro Reservoir (Colorado): A dam and reservoir on the Conejos River.
Alamosa River (Colorado): A river in Colorado.
South Fork Rio Grande (Colorado): One of the main branches of the Rio Grande near its source.
Rio Grande Dam and Rio Grande Reservoir (Colorado): A dam and reservoir very close to the source of the Rio Grande itself.