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As the longest river in America, the Legendary Mississippi River travels 2340 miles emptying into the Gulf of Mexico.  The Mississippi River begins at Lake Itasca, Minnesota where it is only 12 feet wide and 1.5 feet deep.  The Mississippi widens over its length up to 5000 feet and deepens to 12 feet.  The Mississippi carries huge amounts of sediment which has created deltas over the years.  Dams and levees work constantly to protect cities and towns from flooding. The river is continously dredged to allow for the continuation of the barge shipping lanes headed north and south.

The Legendary Mississippi River - Central U.S.

America’s rivers play a critical role in commerce, tourism, recreation and they are the primary source of clean water for most Americans. Taking care of rivers is everyone's business – not only keeping trash and other pollution out of the river, but helping to manage how much is taken out and how the rivers are being used. Our Top 10 List of rivers considers all the roles they play for us as Americans and reminds us to make an effort to visit and care for them.    

The St. Johns River is the longest river in the Florida and its most significant for commercial and recreational use. Its 310 mile length winds through or borders twelve counties, three of which are the state's largest. The drop in elevation from the headwaters to the mouth is less than 30 feet- like most Florida waterways, the St. Johns has a very slow flow rate at a third of a mile an hour and is often described as "lazy". It is one of a small number of rivers in the United States to run south to north. Numerous lakes are formed by the river or flow into it, but as a river its widest point is nearly 3 miles across.

St. John’s River - Florida

The Penobscot River is a 109-mile-long river in the state of Maine. Including the river's West Branch and South Branch increases the Penobscot's length to 264 miles making it the second longest river system in Maine and the longest entirely in the state.  Angling, especially fly fishing, has always been popular on the river.  Over the course of the last 20 years the Penobscot watershed is becoming more and more associated with recreational use (fishing, hunting, boating, white water rafting and tourism) and less with manufacturing.  This river is a true gem in the Northeastern United States.

Penobscot River - Maine

The Ohio River starts in the middle of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers come together.  Here, the Ohio River is surrounded by city's skyscrapers.  The Ohio River joins the Mississippi river in Illinois and is lined with steep bluffs along its 981 miles length.  The river’s upper valley is home to many industries including home appliances, ceramics and soap.  Dams and locks allow you to navigate the entire length of the Ohio and enjoy cities like Cincinnati, Louisville,  Pittsburgh and more.

Ohio River - East Central U.S.

The Colorado River is the longest river west of the Rocky Mountains. The Colorado River has created some of the world’s most spectacular scenery through erosion over the past 6 million years.  Along its 1400 miles over 50 rivers contribute to its flow but much of the water never reaches the end due to its usage in city municipal water supplies and irrigation.  The dams along the Colorado provide power to Arizona, Nevada and Arizona.  The Colorado would be a cherish part of any trip.    

Colorado River - Southwestern U.S.

The Rio Grande River starts at an elevation over 12,000 feet in the mountains of southwestern Colorado and ultimately falls thousands of feet vertically before it forms the border between the state of Texas and Mexico.  The river has cut many deep canyons through the flat lands of New Mexico, each of which enhances the scenery.  The Rio Grande is the 3rd longest river in America and provides for substantial electricity, farm irrigation, public water supply and entertainment along its way.

Rio Grande River - Southwestern U.S.

The Snake River originates in Yellowstone National Park.  From there - it twists and turns its way through Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon and Washington State and ends as it empties into the Columbia River.  As the 9th longest river in America - it flows for 1040 miles.  In southern Idaho, the Snake River has cut a deep valley in the earth forming steep canyons and many rapids and waterfalls.  The Snake River is a very popular destination for anglers and recreation.   

Snake River - Northwestern U.S.

The Yukon River is a major waterway in northwestern North America.The lower half of the river lies in the U.S. state of Alaska. The river is approximately 1,980 miles  long through very rugger terrain and empties into the Bering Sea.  Relatively few people live along the Yukon today but the land surrounding the river is rich in wildlife.  Grizzly bears, wolverines, lynx, marten, mink,  and herds of reindeer live there.  Begin your Yukon river adventure where the Gold Rush began.  Beautiful.

Yukon River - Alaska

The Hudson River is 315 miles in length and flows from north to south through eastern New York State in the United States. The river begins at Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York. The river flows southward past the state capital at Albany and then eventually forms the boundary between New York City and the U.S. state of New Jersey at its mouth before emptying into Upper New York Bay.  The Hudson is crossed at numerous points by bridges, tunnels, and ferries. The natural beauty of the Hudson Valley earned the Hudson River the nickname "America's Rhine".  An amazing river!

The Hudson River - New York

The waters of the Pigeon River start to flow from the top of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Haywood County North Carolina.  A series of beautiful cascading waterfalls carries the waters into Tennessee through the Smokey Mountains.  Recreational rafting is popular in two sections of the river, the Upper and the Lower and features Class III-IV whitewater rapids. The Lower section features gentle waves and beautiful scenery. In North Carolina, the Pigeon River is a fly fisherman’s dream.  Enjoy!  

Pigeon River - North Carolina, Tennessee