Longest Rivers In The U.S. What makes measuring these rivers intriguing is the existence of several disagreements regarding their lengths.
According to some measurements, the two largest rivers are nearly within one mile of each other in terms of length!
1. Missouri River- 2,341 miles
Despite the Mississippi River often receiving more attention, the Missouri River holds the distinction of being the largest river in the United States.
It courses through seven states and ultimately merges with the Mississippi River. In certain respects, these rivers form a larger interconnected water system.
When they meet in St. Louis, noticeable differences in color can be observed, with the silt in the Missouri River giving it a significantly lighter appearance.
2. Mississippi River- 2,320 miles
The Mississippi River, an enormous waterway, courses through 10 different states before reaching the Gulf of Mexico.
It has served various purposes such as transportation, a food source, and a water supply, leading to the establishment of nearly a dozen major communities along its banks.
Additionally, the Mississippi River hosts numerous engineering projects, including those aimed at controlling the flow of water into the Atchafalaya River.
3. Yukon River- 1,982 miles
To avoid any confusion, we’ll include the entire length of the Yukon River in our discussion, even though some people only measure it within the U.S.
The Yukon River originates in Yukon and British Columbia, then flows into Alaska, where it traverses the entire state before emptying into the Bering Sea.
A current project led by the Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council aims to restore the river to its previous pristine condition, making the water suitable for drinking.
4. Rio Grande- 1,885 miles
The Rio Grande serves as a border between the United States and Mexico.
Within the United States, it courses through Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas.
It’s a relatively shallow river, with its deepest part reaching only 60 feet in depth. Its endpoint lies in the Gulf of Mexico.
Additionally, the Rio Grande acts as a dividing line between El Paso in the U.S. and Ciudad Juarez in Mexico.
5. Arkansas River- 1,469 miles
The Arkansas River cuts across Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas as it flows through the Great Plains.
Its endpoint is the Mississippi River, making it the second-largest tributary of the Mississippi.
While the river is now known for its fishing opportunities, it held significant strategic importance during the American Civil War for moving troops.
6. Colorado River- 1,450 miles
The Colorado River meanders through several states, including Colorado, Utah, Arizona, California, and Nevada.
Ultimately, it empties into the Gulf of California in Mexico.
It carves its way through the Grand Canyon and served as a navigation route for early explorers in this region.
Native Americans relied on the Colorado River for thousands of years. Even today, the river remains a valuable resource for people, providing water and power.
7. Red River- 1,360 miles
While it’s occasionally referred to as the Red River of the South, its name originates from the reddish hue of its water.
The Red River passes through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Unlike most other U.S. rivers, this one contains saltwater.
It ultimately meets the Atchafalaya River at its mouth, continuing to flow into the Gulf of Mexico.
8. Columbia River- 1,243 miles
The Columbia River flows through Oregon and Washington in the United States and extends into British Columbia in Canada.
It empties into the Pacific Ocean.
This river is renowned for having the largest river discharge into the Pacific in North or South America, with a massive flow of 265,000 cubic feet per second.
For approximately 15,000 years, the river served as a boundary and a vital source of food for indigenous peoples.
9. Snake River- 1,040 miles
Native Americans have lived along the Snake River for more than 10,000 years, and explorers like Lewis and Clark included it in their expeditions.
The river got its name from a misunderstanding of sign language, originally intended to represent basket weaving but mistakenly interpreted as snake.
It flows through the Pacific Northwest states of Wyoming, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.
The Snake River plays a crucial role in salmon spawning, hydroelectric power generation, and agriculture.
Unfortunately, it has suffered significant pollution due to runoff in recent years.
10. Ohio River- stretching 981 miles
The Ohio River, which flows for nearly 1,000 miles, passes through Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Illinois, and Indiana.
People have used it for transportation and as a state boundary.
Many large cities, like Louisville in Kentucky and Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania, are situated along its banks.
Additionally, the river is quite wide, exceeding a mile in width in some areas. Eventually, it joins the Mississippi River.
