Categories: General Studies

Longest River of North America, Check the List of Top-10

Rivers are an important part of nature. They provide water for people, animals and plants. North America has many long rivers that flow through different countries. These rivers help in farming, transportation and electricity generation. Some rivers also create beautiful landscapes like the Grand Canyon. In this article, we will learn about the top-10 longest rivers in North America and why they are important.

Longest River of North America

The Missouri River is the longest river in North America, stretching 2,540 miles (4,088 km). It begins in the Rocky Mountains of Montana and flows into the Mississippi River at St. St. Louis. The river passes through seven states and has a vast watershed of 525,000 square miles. It is historically significant as the route taken by the Lewis and Clark expedition to explore the western U.S.

Key Facts About Missouri River

Here are the key facts about Missouri River, the longest river of North America:

The Missouri River is 2,540 miles long, making it the longest river in the United States.
It begins in the Rocky Mountains of Montana, where the Gallatin, Madison and Jefferson rivers meet at Three Forks.
It flows into the Mississippi River, north of St. Louis, Missouri.
The river drains a watershed of over 500,000 square miles, covering parts of ten U.S. states and two Canadian provinces.
Notable tributaries include the Yellowstone River, Platte River and Kansas River.
Initially called “Pekitanoui” by French explorer Father Jacques Marquette, meaning “muddy water.”
The Missouri National Recreational River consists of two separate sections, divided by Lewis and Clark Lake.
The river is typically 10-20 feet deep, with depth decreasing outside the main channel.

Top-10 Longest Rivers of North America

The Missouri River, with the total length of 2,540 miles, stands as the longest river of North America, followed by Mississippi River, Yukon River and Rio Grande.

Here is the list of top-10 longest rivers of North America:

Rank	River	Length (miles)	Source	Mouth
1.	Missouri River	2,540	Rocky Mountains, Montana	Mississippi River, St Louis
2.	Mississippi River	2,340	Minnesota	Gulf of Mexico
3.	Yukon River	1,980	Pelly Mountains, Canada	Bering Sea
4.	Rio Grande	1,900	San Juan Mountains, Colorado	Gulf of Mexico
5.	Arkansas River	1,469	Rocky Mountains, Colorado	Mississippi River, Arkansas
6.	Colorado River	1,450	Rocky Mountains, Colorado	Gulf of California
7.	Atchafalaya River	1,420	Near Simmesport, Louisiana	Gulf of Meixoc
8.	Ohio River	1,310	Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers	Mississippi River
9.	Red River	1,290	New Mexico	Mississippi River
10.	Brazos River	1,280	Texas Panhandle	Gulf of Mexico

Akansha Arora

My role as a content writer specializing in current affairs at Adda247 involves meticulously researching and crafting compelling articles aimed at guiding and informing candidates preparing for National and State Level Competitive Government Exams. With a dedication to educational excellence, I strive to keep our candidates abreast of the latest developments and trends in current affairs. By providing insightful and engaging content, I aim to ensure that aspiring candidates are well-prepared and informed for their examinations.