List of rivers of Texas explained

The list of rivers of Texas is a list of all named waterways, including rivers and streams that partially pass through or are entirely located within the U.S. state of Texas. Across the state, there are 3,700 named streams and 15 major rivers accounting for over 191000miles of waterways.[1] [2] All of the state's waterways drain towards the Mississippi River, the Texas Gulf Coast, or the Rio Grande, with mouths located in seven major estuaries.

Seasonal and restrictive waterways

Waterways by drainage basin

This list is arranged by drainage basin, with tributaries indented under each larger stream's name listed in order from mouth to source.

Mississippi River

Gulf of Mexico Coastal

Rio Grande

10 longest rivers

The following 10 rivers empty into the Gulf of Mexico. Four of the rivers are tributaries: The Pecos flows into the Rio Grande, the Red into the Mississippi River, and the Sabine and Neches flow into Sabine Lake which is connected to the Gulf of Mexico by Sabine Pass. The Canadian is a tributary of a tributary and flows into the Arkansas River which is itself a tributary of the Mississippi.

  1. Rio Grande – 1896miles, 1250miles of which are in Texas (although technically on the border between Texas and Mexico)
  2. Red River – 1360miles of which 680miles are in Texas
  3. Brazos River – 1280miles of which 840miles are in Texas, making it the longest section of river in Texas
  4. Pecos River – 926miles most of which is in New Mexico
  5. Colorado River – 862miles almost entirely in Texas of which 600miles are not dry
  6. Canadian River – 760miles of which 200miles are in Texas
  7. Trinity River – 423miles entirely in Texas
  8. Sabine River – 360miles of which 360miles are in Texas
  9. Neches River – 416miles entirely in Texas
  10. Nueces River – 315miles entirely in Texas

The Trinity River is the longest river with its entire drainage basin in Texas. The Colorado is the longest river with both its source based on river name and its mouth in the state. The longest source of the Colorado of any kind is in New Mexico.

Shortest river

The Comal River is the shortest river in the state of Texas and the fifth-shortest river in the United States. Located entirely within the city limits of New Braunfels in Central Texas, its spring-fed waters run a distance of 2.5 miles (4 kilometers).

See also

External links

References

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Texas River Guide. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. February 12, 2013.
  2. Web site: River Basins & Reservoirs Texas Water Development Board . 2024-04-16 . www.twdb.texas.gov . en.