The United States is encompassed by many rivers some of which are among the Longest Rivers in the World. The Mississippi is believed by many people to be the Longest River in the US, but your imagination will be beaten by the time we will unveil the rivers that are the longest in the country. I know by now you are wondering What is the Longest River in the US, so, journey with us as we reveal to you the top 10 Longest Rivers in US 2019 and all you need to know about them.
TOP 10 LONGEST RIVERS IN US 2020 [UPDATED RECORD] – ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
The United States Geological Survey (USGS), a scientific agency of the United States government has released the list of the Longest Rivers in the US. Below is a highlight of the rivers enlisted in this article.
Would you like to know the longest rivers in the us?
- Missouri River
- Mississippi River
- Yukon River
- Rio Grande
- Lawrence River
- Arkansas River
- Colorado River
- Columbia River
- Red River of the South
- Snake River
That’s a quick preview of the rivers that are enlisted in our article been the longest in the country. Below is more detailed information about them.
- #1. Missouri River
- Miles: 2,540
To start with, the Missouri River is the Longest River in the United States. The river flow begins from the Rocky Mountains in Montana where it flows into the Mississippi River around St. Louis, Missouri. Some believed that the Missouri River is also part of the Mississippi river with length combined, but USGS thinks otherwise, listing the separately from the Mississippi river and thus becoming the longest river in the country at 2,540 miles as well as one of the Longest Rivers in the World.
- #2. Mississippi River
- Miles: 2,340
Mississippi River comes in as the Second Longest River in the USA. Mississippi River starts flowing from Lake Itasca in northwestern Minnesota and it flows into the Gulf of Mexico in southern Louisiana at 2,340 miles. Not just one of the longest rivers in the country but also among the Longest Rivers in the World. Mississippi River is an important river in the United States being the largest drainage area in the country making it one of the Largest Drainage Areas in the World. Also, it plays an important part in the commercial activities of the country. It also has transportation value especially the transporting of products such as aluminum, corn, petroleum, and soybeans on the river, as well as the widening of channels, facilitated the travel of large ships through it.
- #3. Yukon River
- Miles: 1,980
Yukon River means “Great River” and it is long to the extent that there are many sections of river to float. The source of the Yukon River, the third Longest River in the US on our list is from the Llewellyn Glacier at Atlin Lake, northwestern British Columbia, and empty into the Bering Sea. Driving across the river gives you a view of the greenish tint on the river which is a result of the high mineral content in the water. Interestingly, the river is shared between the United States and Canada. The river has a history of serving as a trade value and also an important navigation route. There are different sea animals found in this river, the popular of them been the Salmon fish alongside the whitefishes and pikes.
- #4. Rio Grande
- Miles: 1,900
The Rio Grande is a principal river in the United States and its source is from the base of Canby Mountain in Colorado and flows into the Gulf of Mexico. The river is an important landmark, marking the boundary between Texas in the United States and Mexico. Rio Grande River is important to water mainly used for irrigation purposes; also, dams have been constructed along the river line. The marine life living in the river is estimated to be over 500 different species of fauna including the American beaver, desert cottontails, porcupines, and muskrats. Due to the high usage of water for irrigation purposes and home use, the water level is decreasing continuously.
United states longest rivers
- #5. St. Lawrence River
- Miles: 1,900
St. Lawrence River is shared by the United States and Canada because the source of the river begins at the end of Lake Ontario between Cape Vincent, New York in the United States, and Kingston, Ontario in Canada and empties into the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Atlantic Ocean. The river is an important river not just in the United States but in North America because it connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Great Lakes. This river comprises canals and channels. The river serves as a transportation route and also a source of electricity.
- #6. Arkansas River
- Miles: 1,460
The Arkansas River is the second-longest tributary to the Mississippi-Missouri system. The river flow begins from the Rocky Mountains in Colorado near Leadville and flows 1,460 miles to connect with the Mississippi River in southeastern Arkansas, making it the sixth-longest river in the US. There are 18 locks and dams, as well as three different rivers and one manmade canal, making it an important river in the state of Arkansas. The drainage basin of the river covers 161,000 square miles and has a total fall of 11,400 ft.
- #7. Colorado River
- Miles: 1,450
Colorado River is a principal and major river in the United States. In fact, the Colorado River is considered the pillar of the West, flowing around seven states in the country including Arizona, California, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Nevada, and Wyoming, with approximately 40 million people across these states depending on the river for drinking water and for wildlife. The high usage of this river (dam and diverted in so many places) has caused the volume of the water to keeps reducing. The water begins to flow from the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and drain into the Sea of Cortez in the Gulf of California, northwestern Mexico.
- #8. Columbia River
- Miles: 1,243
Taking us closer to the end of our discussion is the Colombia River, considered the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America and also the fourth largest river by volume in the continent. The river source begins from the rocky mountains of British Columbia, Canada, and flows 1,243 miles to Washington and the state of Oregon before draining into the Pacific Ocean. Columbia River is a blessing to the Northwest region in the United States been used for numerous purposes such as Hydropower, flood control, irrigation, navigation, and recreation.
- #9. Red River of the South
- Miles: 1,125
Red River is a major river in the Southern region of the United States and the ninth Longest River in the United States. The name (Red River) is so-called because of the red-bed country of its watershed and a major tributary of the Atchafalaya and Mississippi River. The river mostly revolves in the southern part of the country and has large river drains an the area estimated at 2, 41,000 square kilometers. The river serves as a rich habitat for species like the blue catfish and the striped bass among other species.
- #10. Snake River
- Miles: 1,040
Last on our list of the Longest Rivers in the US is the Snake River. It flow begins from the mountain of the Continental Divide near the southeastern corner of Yellowstone National Park in northwestern Wyoming and flows 1,040 miles to empty into the Columbia River which is the largest tributary. Its drainage basin covers almost 280,000 square kilometers making it the 10th Largest Drainage Basins among North America Rivers. The river is an important one used for hydroelectric generation, irrigation purposes and also there are recreation facilities located along the Snake River especially Hell’s Canyon.
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Conclusion on the Top 10 Longest Rivers in the US 2020 [Updated Record] – all you Need to Know
It wasn’t easy compiling this list knowing that there are a lot of Rivers in the United States. Nonetheless, these are the Longest Rivers in the US. Most of the rivers enlisted in this article are utilized for many purposes which contribute to the economic growth of the cities and states it pass across and the country at large. So, now you are acquainted with not just the Largest Rivers in the country but also some of the Major Rivers in the US.
Tag: Top 10 Longest Rivers in the US 2020 [Updated Record] – all you Need to Know