The US has over 250,000 rivers covering approximately 3,500,000 miles in length. Here are the top longest rivers of that country.
Spread over 9.834 million km², the US is the third largest country in the world by area. It has over 250,000 rivers covering approximately 3,500,000 miles in length. Naturally, some will run lengthier than others. Here are its longest rivers.
Missouri River
Length: 3,767 Km (2,341 miles)
Nicknamed the 'Big Muddy,' and considered the 'Center of Life' for the Great Plains, this river which has over 95 significant tributaries, is home to a number of Native American tribes. It irrigates about one-fourth of the total agricultural land in the US, producing about one-third of the country's wheat, flax, barley, and oats output. For over thousands of years, It also has served as the principal passageway for exploration, food, trade, and transportation.
Mississippi River
Length: 3,730 Km (2,320 miles)
Though shorter than Missouri, it's more significant in the development and expansion of America. The heartbeat of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, this river plying through ten states, is an important commercial waterway and a cultural treasure. Besides the fertile agricultural land, it also nurtures 360 species of fish, 326 species of birds, 145 species of amphibians and 50 species of mammals.
Yukon River
Length: 3,190 Km (1,979 miles)
Translating to 'great river' in the native Gwich’in language, it's the longest river in Alaska. This river, which became famous during the late 1800s Klondike gold rush, is known for its mineral deposits. It also hosts one of the longest salmon runs in the world. Being situated in one of the most sparsely populated regions of North America, The Yukon basin, as such remains as one of the least developed areas.
Rio Grande
Length: 3,034 km (1,885 miles)
Formed by the coalescing of several streams at the base of Canby Mountain in the western part of the Rio Grande National Forest in the US state of Colorado, this 'Big River', is the water-source for about 2,100,000 acres of cropland, excluding the areas irrigated above the reservoirs. Sadly, its importance has declined greatly due to the diversions leading to a decrease in its water flow.
Colorado River
Length: 2,334 km (1,450 miles)
This river is easily recognisable because of its famous canyons including the Grand Canyon, the Westwater Canyon, and the Cataract Canyon.
It flows through Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, California, Baja California, and Sonora before reaching its mouth at the Gulf of California. Interestingly, it was known by various names like Xakxwet, Aha Kwahwat, Ha Tay G’am Sil Gsvgov, Hakhwata, Rio del Tizon, and Rio Colorado, prior to its existing nomenclature.
