US Rivers Map

About US Rivers Map

Explore United States map with all rivers and lakes, this map is free to download for educational purpse only.

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List of Longest Rivers of the United States

Rank	River Name	Length in Miles	Length in KM
1	Missouri River	2,341	3,768.00
2	Mississippi River	2,340	3,766.00
3	Yukon River	1,979	3,190.00
4	Rio Grande	1,759	2,830.00
5	Colorado River	1,450	2,330.00
6	Arkansas River	1,443	2,322.00
7	Columbia River	1,243	2,000.00
8	Red River	1,125	1,811.00
9	Snake River	1,040	1,674.00
10	Ohio River	979	1,575.00
11	Colorado River of Texas	970	1,560.00
12	Tennessee River	935	1,504.00
13	Canadian River	906	1,458.00
14	Brazos River	860	1,390.00
15	Green River	760	1,230.00
16	Pecos River	730	1,175.00
17	White River (Arkansas)	720	1,159.00
18	James River	710	1,140.00
19	Kuskokwim River	702	1,130.00
20	Cimarron River	698	1,123.00
21	Cumberland River	696	1,120.00
22	Yellowstone River	678	1,091.00
23	North Platte River	665	1,070
24	Milk River	625	1,005
25	Ouachita River	605	974
26	St. Lawrence River	600	965
27	Gila River	600	960
28	Sheyenne River	591	951
29	Tanana River	584	940
30	Smoky Hill River	576	927
31	Niobrara River	568	914
32	Little Missouri River	560	900
33	Sabine River	553	890
34	Red River of the North	550	890
35	Des Moines River	525	845
36	White River (Missouri River)	506	815
37	Trinity River	506	815
38	Wabash River	503	810

US Rivers

The rivers of the United States perform three essential functions by creating landscape features and supporting ecosystems and enabling commerce and providing water supply to all communities throughout the nation. The United States contains a vast network of rivers which extends from the Rocky Mountains all the way to the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans making it one of the largest river systems worldwide. The United States contains more than 250,000 rivers which total 3.5 million miles of waterway while crossing every state to supply essential resources for farming and manufacturing and recreational activities. The Mississippi River together with the Missouri River and Colorado River establish regional boundaries and enable millions of people to live and conduct extensive economic activities in their riverfront areas.

Historical Significance and Early Development

Rivers played a vital role in the historical growth of the United States. Rivers served as the primary source of sustenance and transportation and trade network for indigenous peoples before European colonizers arrived. Rivers functioned as natural transportation routes during colonial times and westward expansion to facilitate exploration and settlement and commerce. The Mississippi River established itself as a vital trade route because it provided a connection between the continental interior and the Gulf of Mexico. The Ohio River together with the Hudson River and Columbia River served important functions in regional development and territorial conflicts. The Erie Canal construction in the 19th century strengthened river importance by creating connections between inland waterways and seaports.

Major River Systems

The Mississippi River extends 2,340 miles across the nation as the second-longest river in the country while maintaining its position as one of the largest rivers globally by water volume. The Mississippi River Basin extends across 31 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces as it drains this vast region which encompasses 41% of the contiguous United States. The Missouri River serves as the longest river in North America by flowing approximately 2,341 miles before it joins the Mississippi River. The Colorado River flows 1,450 miles while creating the Grand Canyon and it provides essential water supply to the dry regions of California Arizona and Nevada. The Pacific Northwest has the Columbia River while the Rio Grande flows along the U.S.–Mexico border and the Yukon River exists in Alaska.

Hydrology and Environmental Concerns

The hydrological features of rivers across the United States vary significantly because of geographical and climatic conditions. The Rockies' snowmelt provides water to western rivers while eastern and midwestern rivers depend on rainfall. The ecological and economic significance of U.S. rivers faces multiple environmental challenges because of pollution and habitat destruction and excessive water resource utilization. The contamination of major river systems resulted from agricultural runoff combined with industrial discharge and urban development activities. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers serve as federal agencies responsible for river health monitoring and restoration through conservation programs and regulatory enforcement.

Modern Uses and Infrastructure

Rivers remain useful for various functions in the current United States. The water supply for municipalities and irrigation needs of farming and hydroelectric power production and flood management rely on rivers. The United States depends on its navigable rivers to move goods such as grain coal and petroleum through its extensive system of locks dams and ports. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and other regional authorities manage large-scale river systems for energy production and flood mitigation. Millions of people participate in boating fishing and rafting activities annually because recreational use has increased along rivers including the Delaware Snake and Arkansas.

Future Outlook

The combination of climate change and population growth along with changing land use patterns will create additional stress on U.S. river systems. The rise in temperatures will cause snowpack reduction and modify seasonal water flow patterns and intense rainfall events will elevate flooding and erosion risks. Federal and state agencies dedicate resources to river restoration and sustainable water management initiatives which protect these natural assets for future generations. Rivers continue to serve as vital ecological pathways and economic lifelines which make up the essential natural and cultural heritage of the United States.