Which is the Shortest River in the World?

There are thousands of rivers in the world, each with different sizes and lengths. Some rivers are known for being very long, while others are famous for being wide or fast-flowing. But did you know there is also a river that is famous for being extremely short? In this article, you will learn about the river that holds the title of the shortest in the world.

Shortest River in the World

The Roe River in Montana, USA, is known as the shortest river in the world. It flows just 201 feet (61 meters) from Giant Springs to the Missouri River. Once listed in the Guiness Book of World Records, it became famous in 1989 thanks to a school project by local students in Great Falls.

Location of Roe River

The Roe River is in the United States, in the state of Montana, near the city of Great Falls. It flows from Giant Springs, a large natural spring and joins the Missouri River. Even though it connects two water sources, the river itself is very short.

How Short is the Roe River?

The Roe River is only 201 feet (61 meters) long at its longest constant point. This small size once made it the shortest river in the world, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. The river is also about 6 to 8 feet deep near its mouth.

How Did it Get Its Name?

Back in 1987, a class of fifth-grade students from Lincoln Elementary School in Great Falls wanted the river to be recognized. At that time, the river had no name. With the help of their teacher, Susie Nardlinger, the students asked to name it ”Roe River.”

The name ”Roe” was inspired by the Giant Springs Trout Hatchery next to the river, where trout are raised from eggs called roe.

Getting the World Record

After naming the river, the students sent a request to the Guinness World Records. In 1989, Guinness accepted the Roe River as the world’s shortest river, beating the D River in Oregon, which was listed as 440 feet (130 meters) long.

The River Rivalry

The people of Lincoln city, Oregon, were not happy. They claimed that the D River was even shorter at high tide – just 120 feet (37 meters) long.

They argued that the Roe River was just a ”school drainage ditch.” In return, the Roe River supporters said that D River was just ”ocean water backing up.” The debate got a lot of attention but was never clearly settled.

Guinness Drops the Record

Because of the argument between Roe River and D River supporters, the Guinness World Records decided to remove the category of the shortest river in 2006. Since then, there has been no official shortest river listed, but many still remember the Roe River for its unique title.