North American Rivers
Missouri River
North America's longest, at 2,341 miles, formed in western Montana by the confluence of the Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin Rivers. It flows past Bismarck, North Dakota and Kansas City before emptying into the Mississippi just north of St. Louis.
St.Lawrence River
drains the Great Lakes and serves as a major waterway of eastern Canada. First explored and named by Jacques Cartier in the early 16th centur
Ohio River
flows 981 miles through a significant industrial region of the central United States. Historically seen as the border between the northern and southern United States
Rio Grande
forms the border between Texas and four Mexican states since 1848. It flows south out of Colorado through New Mexico before reaching the international boundary near El Paso
Hudson River
historically significant American river since the early 17th century. Named for English explorer Henry Hudson, it flows 315 miles through eastern New York state
Columbia River
is a vital waterway of the Pacific Northwest
Colorado River
most significant river of the southwestern United States. Beginning in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado,
Potomac River
one of America's most historic waterways. Rising at Fairfax Stone in West Virginia, runs 405 miles, forming the border between Virginia and Maryland.
Mississippi River
second-longest in North America behind the Missouri. Referred to by Abraham Lincoln as "the father of waters," the Mississippi begins at Lake Itasca, Minnesota, and flows 2,340 miles to a vast delta on the Gulf of Mexico, forming portions of ten state borders and the world's third-largest drainage basin
Mackenzie River
the longest river of Canada. Flowing 1,080 miles out of the Great Slave Lake, the river flows past Fort Providence and Fort Simpson in Canada's Northwest Territories, emptying into a vast delta on the Beaufort Sea. It is also the largest river flowing into the Arctic Ocean from North America. The river was named for Scottish explorer Alexander Mackenzie, who crossed Canada to the Pacific ten years before Lewis and Clark.