Main article: Geography of Colorado

See also: List of rivers in Colorado

The U.S State of Colorado includes the headwaters of several important rivers. See also State of Colorado The geography of the State of Colorado is unusually diverse encompassing both rugged mountainous terrain and vast plains See also Geography of Colorado Colorado drainage basins Lists of Rivers and Streams in the U The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The State of Colorado ( or chiefly by nonresidents) is a state located in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States of America. The state is divided generally East to West by the Continental Divide. A continental divide is a line of elevated Terrain which forms a border between two watersheds such that Water falling on one side of the line eventually East of the Continental Divide, surface waters flow via the North Platte River, the South Platte River, the Republican River, the Arkansas River, the Cimarron River, the Canadian River, or the Rio Grande to the Gulf of Mexico. The North Platte River is a tributary of the Platte River, approximately 680 mi (1094 km long in the U The South Platte River is one of the two principal tributaries of the Platte River and itself a major river of the American West, located in the U The Arkansas River is a major Tributary of the Mississippi River. The Cimarron River extends 698 miles (1123 km across New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Kansas. The Canadian River is the largest Tributary of the Arkansas River. The Gulf of Mexico ( Spanish: Golfo de México) is the ninth largest Body of water in the world West of the Continental Divide, surface waters flow via the Green River, the upper Colorado River^[1] (formerly the Grand River), or the San Juan River into the Colorado River and on to the Gulf of California. The Colorado River (' Aha Kwahwat in Mojave) is a River in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately The Colorado River (' Aha Kwahwat in Mojave) is a River in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately The Colorado River (' Aha Kwahwat in Mojave) is a River in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately " Sea of Cortez " redirects here For the book by John Steinbeck, see The Log from the Sea of Cortez. Colorado also has three significant endorheic basins: the San Luis Closed Basin in the San Luis Valley, and the Bear Creek Basin and the White Woman Basin spanning the Colorado-Kansas border south and north of the Arkansas River. An endorheic basin (from Greek endo ‘inside’ + rhein ‘to flow’ also terminal or closed basin) is a closed Drainage basin The San Luis Valley is an extensive alpine valley in the United States states of Colorado and New Mexico covering approximately 8000 square miles The State of Colorado ( or chiefly by nonresidents) is a state located in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States of America. Kansas ( is a Midwestern state in the central region of the United States of America, an area often referred to as the American " The Arkansas River is a major Tributary of the Mississippi River.

Contents 1 Table of major drainage basins 2 See also 3 References 4 External links

Table of major drainage basins

Major Drainage Basins of the State of Colorado

Basin	Outlet	Total Area[2]	In-State Area[2]	% In-State[2]
Colorado River[1]	Gulf of California	001703,132 km² 271,481 mi²	001100,195 km² 38,686 mi²	A06414. The Colorado River (' Aha Kwahwat in Mojave) is a River in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately " Sea of Cortez " redirects here For the book by John Steinbeck, see The Log from the Sea of Cortez. 2%
Arkansas River	Mississippi River	002478,501 km² 184,750 mi²	00270,022 km² 27,036 mi²	A06314. The Arkansas River is a major Tributary of the Mississippi River. The Mississippi River is the second longest River in the United States, with a length of from its source in Lake Itasca in Minnesota to 6%
Rio Grande	Gulf of Mexico	003457,275 km² 176,555 mi²	00912,070 km² 4,660 mi²	A0722. The Gulf of Mexico ( Spanish: Golfo de México) is the ninth largest Body of water in the world 6%
Canadian River	Arkansas River	004122,701 km² 47,375 mi²	073154 km² 59 mi²	A0730. The Canadian River is the largest Tributary of the Arkansas River. The Arkansas River is a major Tributary of the Mississippi River. 1%
Green River[1][3]	Colorado River	005115,903 km² 44,750 mi²	00527,340 km² 10,556 mi²	A05923. The Green River, located in the western United States, is the chief tributary of the Colorado River. The Colorado River (' Aha Kwahwat in Mojave) is a River in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately 6%
North Platte River	Platte River	00680,755 km² 31,180 mi²	0185,129 km² 1,980 mi²	A0686. The North Platte River is a tributary of the Platte River, approximately 680 mi (1094 km long in the U The Platte River is an approximately 310 mi (499 km long river in the Western United States. 4%
upper Colorado River (Grand River)[1]	Colorado River	00767,993 km² 26,252 mi²	00357,680 km² 22,270 mi²	A03884. The Colorado River (' Aha Kwahwat in Mojave) is a River in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately The Colorado River (' Aha Kwahwat in Mojave) is a River in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately The Colorado River (' Aha Kwahwat in Mojave) is a River in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately 8%
San Juan River	Colorado River	00864,560 km² 24,927 mi²	00815,175 km² 5,859 mi²	A06023. The San Juan River is a tributary of the Colorado River, 400 mi (644 km long in the western United States. The Colorado River (' Aha Kwahwat in Mojave) is a River in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately 5%
South Platte River	Platte River	00962,738 km² 24,223 mi²	00448,948 km² 18,899 mi²	A04078. The South Platte River is one of the two principal tributaries of the Platte River and itself a major river of the American West, located in the U The Platte River is an approximately 310 mi (499 km long river in the Western United States. 0%
Smoky Hill River	Kansas River	01051,783 km² 19,994 mi²	0402,493 km² 963 mi²	A0704. The Smoky Hill River is a River in the US states of Colorado and Kansas. The Kansas River (also known as the Kaw) is a River in northeastern Kansas in the United States. 8%
Cimarron River	Arkansas River	01144,890 km² 17,332 mi²	0165,481 km² 2,116 mi²	A06612. The Cimarron River extends 698 miles (1123 km across New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Kansas. The Arkansas River is a major Tributary of the Mississippi River. 2%
Yampa River	Green River	01221,506 km² 8,304 mi²	00715,289 km² 5,903 mi²	A04371. The Yampa River is a tributary of the Green River, approximately 250 mi (402 km long in the U The Green River, located in the western United States, is the chief tributary of the Colorado River. 1%
Gunnison River[4]	upper Colorado River (Grand River)	01320,851 km² 8,051 mi²	00620,851 km² 8,051 mi²	A001100%
North Fork Republican River	Republican River	01413,172 km² 5,086 mi²	01011,522 km² 4,449 mi²	A03787. The Gunnison River is a tributary of the Colorado River, approximately 180 mi (290 km long in the U The Colorado River (' Aha Kwahwat in Mojave) is a River in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately The Colorado River (' Aha Kwahwat in Mojave) is a River in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately The North Fork Republican River is a River that arises in Yuma County, Colorado, United States, and flows eastward for about to the confluence 5%
White River	Green River	01512,989 km² 5,015 mi²	0129,796 km² 3,782 mi²	A04275. The White River is a tributary of the Green River, approximately 160 mi (257 km long in the U The Green River, located in the western United States, is the chief tributary of the Colorado River. 4%
Dolores River	upper Colorado River (Grand River)	01611,998 km² 4,633 mi²	01110,619 km² 4,100 mi²	A03688. The Dolores River is a tributary of the Colorado River, approximately 250 mi (402 km long in the U The Colorado River (' Aha Kwahwat in Mojave) is a River in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately The Colorado River (' Aha Kwahwat in Mojave) is a River in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately 5%
Laramie River	North Platte River	01711,961 km² 4,618 mi²	061989 km² 382 mi²	A0678. The Laramie River is a tributary of the North Platte River, approximately 216 mi (348 km) long in the U The North Platte River is a tributary of the Platte River, approximately 680 mi (1094 km long in the U 3%
Little Snake River	Yampa River	01810,629 km² 4,104 mi²	0224,412 km² 1,704 mi²	A05241. The Little Snake River is a tributary of the Yampa River, approximately 150 mi (241 km long in southwestern Wyoming and northwestern Colorado in The Yampa River is a tributary of the Green River, approximately 250 mi (402 km long in the U 5%
Purgatoire River	Arkansas River	0198,923 km² 3,445 mi²	0138,601 km² 3,321 mi²	A03196. The Purgatoire River is a River in southeastern Colorado, United States. The Arkansas River is a major Tributary of the Mississippi River. 4%
Lodgepole Creek	South Platte River	0208,374 km² 3,233 mi²	069496 km² 191 mi²	A0695. Lodgepole Creek is a tributary of the South Platte River, approximately 212 miles (341 km long in the U The South Platte River is one of the two principal tributaries of the Platte River and itself a major river of the American West, located in the U 9%
Rio Chama	Rio Grande	0218,204 km² 3,168 mi²	071238 km² 92 mi²	A0712. The Rio Chama is a major tributary river of the Rio Grande, located in the states of Colorado and New Mexico. 9%
San Luis Closed Basin[5]	endorheic basin	0227,638 km² 2,949 mi²	0147,638 km² 2,949 mi²	A002100%
Frenchman Creek	Republican River	0237,398 km² 2,856 mi²	0362,539 km² 980 mi²	A05334. An endorheic basin (from Greek endo ‘inside’ + rhein ‘to flow’ also terminal or closed basin) is a closed Drainage basin 3%
South Fork Republican River	Republican River	0247,195 km² 2,778 mi²	0175,454 km² 2,106 mi²	A04175. The South Fork Republican River is a River that arises in Lincoln County, Colorado, United States, and flows east-northeastward for about through 8%
San Luis Creek	San Luis Closed Basin	0257,000 km² 2,703 mi²	0157,000 km² 2,703 mi²	A003100%
Cache la Poudre River	South Platte River	0264,959 km² 1,915 mi²	0214,587 km² 1,771 mi²	A03492. The Cache La Poudre River (sometimes called the Poudre River for short is a tributary of the South Platte River in the state of Colorado in the United The South Platte River is one of the two principal tributaries of the Platte River and itself a major river of the American West, located in the U 5%
Bear Creek Basin	endorheic basin	0274,896 km² 1,890 mi²	0372,521 km² 973 mi²	A04851. An endorheic basin (from Greek endo ‘inside’ + rhein ‘to flow’ also terminal or closed basin) is a closed Drainage basin 5%
Huerfano River	Arkansas River	0284,840 km² 1,869 mi²	0194,840 km² 1,869 mi²	A004100%
Big Sandy Creek	Arkansas River	0294,825 km² 1,863 mi²	0204,825 km² 1,863 mi²	A005100%
Bear Creek	Bear Creek Basin	0304,500 km² 1,737 mi²	0392,500 km² 965 mi²	A04755. The Arkansas River is a major Tributary of the Mississippi River. The Arkansas River is a major Tributary of the Mississippi River. 6%
North Fork Cimarron River	Cimarron River	0314,462 km² 1,723 mi²	0432,225 km² 859 mi²	A04949. The Cimarron River extends 698 miles (1123 km across New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Kansas. 9%
Arikaree River	North Fork Republican River	0324,429 km² 1,710 mi²	0234,265 km² 1,647 mi²	A03296. The Arikaree River is a Tributary of the North Fork of the Republican River that flows mostly east out of the State of Colorado in the United States The North Fork Republican River is a River that arises in Yuma County, Colorado, United States, and flows eastward for about to the confluence 3%
San Miguel River	Dolores River	0334,060 km² 1,567 mi²	0244,060 km² 1,567 mi²	A006100%
Stinking Water Creek	Frenchman Creek	0343,862 km² 1,491 mi²	063966 km² 373 mi²	A05825. The San Miguel River is a tributary of the Dolores River, approximately 90 mi (145 km long in southwestern Colorado in the United States. The Dolores River is a tributary of the Colorado River, approximately 250 mi (402 km long in the U 0%
Roaring Fork River	upper Colorado River (Grand River)	0353,766 km² 1,454 mi²	0253,766 km² 1,454 mi²	A007100%
Crow Creek	South Platte River	0363,717 km² 1,435 mi²	0442,201 km² 850 mi²	A04659. The Roaring Fork River is a tributary of the Colorado River, approximately 70 mi (113 km long in west central Colorado in the United States. The Colorado River (' Aha Kwahwat in Mojave) is a River in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately The Colorado River (' Aha Kwahwat in Mojave) is a River in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately The South Platte River is one of the two principal tributaries of the Platte River and itself a major river of the American West, located in the U 2%
Horse Creek	Arkansas River	0373,680 km² 1,421 mi²	0263,680 km² 1,421 mi²	A008100%
Ladder Creek	Smoky Hill River	0383,645 km² 1,407 mi²	067663 km² 256 mi²	A06218. The Arkansas River is a major Tributary of the Mississippi River. The Smoky Hill River is a River in the US states of Colorado and Kansas. 2%
Bijou Creek	South Platte River	0393,612 km² 1,395 mi²	0273,612 km² 1,395 mi²	A009100%
White Woman Basin	endorheic basin	0403,577 km² 1,381 mi²	065908 km² 351 mi²	A05725. The South Platte River is one of the two principal tributaries of the Platte River and itself a major river of the American West, located in the U An endorheic basin (from Greek endo ‘inside’ + rhein ‘to flow’ also terminal or closed basin) is a closed Drainage basin 4%
Rush Creek	Arkansas River	0413,570 km² 1,378 mi²	0283,570 km² 1,378 mi²	A010100%
Animas River	San Juan River	0423,562 km² 1,375 mi²	0302,971 km² 1,147 mi²	A03983. The Arkansas River is a major Tributary of the Mississippi River. Animas River is a river in the western United States, a tributary of the San Juan River, part of the Colorado River System. The San Juan River is a tributary of the Colorado River, 400 mi (644 km long in the western United States. 4%
Saguache Creek	San Luis Creek	0433,482 km² 1,345 mi²	0293,482 km² 1,345 mi²	A011100%
Montezuma Creek	San Juan River	0443,044 km² 1,175 mi²	062983 km² 380 mi²	A05432. The San Juan River is a tributary of the Colorado River, 400 mi (644 km long in the western United States. 3%
White Woman Creek	White Woman Basin	0453,000 km² 1,158 mi²	066800 km² 309 mi²	A05626. 7%
Beaver Creek	South Platte River	0462,939 km² 1,135 mi²	0312,939 km² 1,135 mi²	A012100%
Uncompahgre River	Gunnison River	0472,921 km² 1,128 mi²	0322,921 km² 1,128 mi²	A013100%
Tomichi Creek	Gunnison River	0482,874 km² 1,109 mi²	0332,874 km² 1,109 mi²	A014100%
Apishapa Creek	Arkansas River	0492,798 km² 1,080 mi²	0342,798 km² 1,080 mi²	A015100%
Saint Vrain Creek	South Platte River	0502,572 km² 993 mi²	0352,572 km² 993 mi²	A016100%
Eagle River	upper Colorado River (Grand River)	0512,515 km² 971 mi²	0382,515 km² 971 mi²	A017100%
Vermillion Creek	Green River	0522,500 km² 965 mi²	0591,155 km² 446 mi²	A05146. The South Platte River is one of the two principal tributaries of the Platte River and itself a major river of the American West, located in the U The Uncompahgre River is a tributary of the Gunnison River, approximately 75 mi (121 km long in southwestern Colorado in the United States. The Gunnison River is a tributary of the Colorado River, approximately 180 mi (290 km long in the U The Gunnison River is a tributary of the Colorado River, approximately 180 mi (290 km long in the U The Arkansas River is a major Tributary of the Mississippi River. St Vrain Creek (often known locally as the St Vrain River) is a tributary of the South Platte River, approximately 40 miles (64 km long in north central The South Platte River is one of the two principal tributaries of the Platte River and itself a major river of the American West, located in the U The Eagle River is a tributary of the Colorado River, approximately 70 mi (113 km long in west central Colorado in the United States. The Colorado River (' Aha Kwahwat in Mojave) is a River in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately The Colorado River (' Aha Kwahwat in Mojave) is a River in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately The Green River, located in the western United States, is the chief tributary of the Colorado River. 2%
North Fork Gunnison River	Gunnison River	0532,492 km² 962 mi²	0412,492 km² 962 mi²	A018100%
Fountain Creek	Arkansas River	0542,418 km² 933 mi²	0422,418 km² 933 mi²	A019100%
Big Thompson River	South Platte River	0552,149 km² 830 mi²	0452,149 km² 830 mi²	A020100%
Two Butte Creek	Arkansas River	0562,107 km² 814 mi²	0462,107 km² 814 mi²	A021100%
Mancos River	San Juan River	0572,099 km² 810 mi²	0471,973 km² 762 mi²	A03394. The North Fork Gunnison River (locally known as the North Fork) is a tributary of the Gunnison River, approximately 25 miles (40 km long in southwestern Colorado The Gunnison River is a tributary of the Colorado River, approximately 180 mi (290 km long in the U Fountain Creek is a River in El Paso and Pueblo Counties in the United States State of Colorado. The Arkansas River is a major Tributary of the Mississippi River. The Big Thompson River is a Tributary of the South Platte River, approximately 78 miles (123 km long in the U The South Platte River is one of the two principal tributaries of the Platte River and itself a major river of the American West, located in the U The Arkansas River is a major Tributary of the Mississippi River. The San Juan River is a tributary of the Colorado River, 400 mi (644 km long in the western United States. 0%
Conejos River	Rio Grande	0582,078 km² 802 mi²	0561,471 km² 568 mi²	A04470. The Conejos River is a tributary of the Rio Grande, approximately 60 mi (100 km long in south central Colorado in the United States. 8%
North Fork Smoky Hill River	Smoky Hill River	0591,965 km² 759 mi²	064947 km² 366 mi²	A05048. The Smoky Hill River is a River in the US states of Colorado and Kansas. 2%
Sidney Draw	South Platte River	0601,949 km² 753 mi²	070368 km² 142 mi²	A06118. The South Platte River is one of the two principal tributaries of the Platte River and itself a major river of the American West, located in the U 9%
South Fork Beaver Creek	Beaver Creek	0611,939 km² 749 mi²	068522 km² 201 mi²	A05526. 9%
Sand Arroyo Creek	North Fork Cimarron River	0621,938 km² 748 mi²	0571,314 km² 507 mi²	A04567. 8%
Chico Creek	Arkansas River	0631,934 km² 747 mi²	0481,934 km² 747 mi²	A022100%
Kiowa Creek	South Platte River	0641,888 km² 729 mi²	0491,888 km² 729 mi²	A023100%
Pawnee Creek	South Platte River	0651,875 km² 724 mi²	0501,875 km² 724 mi²	A024100%
McElmo Creek	San Juan River	0661,842 km² 711 mi²	0531,654 km² 639 mi²	A03589. The Arkansas River is a major Tributary of the Mississippi River. The South Platte River is one of the two principal tributaries of the Platte River and itself a major river of the American West, located in the U The South Platte River is one of the two principal tributaries of the Platte River and itself a major river of the American West, located in the U The San Juan River is a tributary of the Colorado River, 400 mi (644 km long in the western United States. 8%
Blue River	upper Colorado River (Grand River)	0671,770 km² 683 mi²	0511,770 km² 683 mi²	A025100%
Piedra River	San Juan River	0681,770 km² 683 mi²	0521,770 km² 683 mi²	A026100%
Piceance Creek	White River	0691,630 km² 629 mi²	0541,630 km² 629 mi²	A027100%
Little Beaver Creek	Beaver Creek	0701,602 km² 619 mi²	072210 km² 81 mi²	A06513. The Blue River is a tributary of the Colorado River, approximately 75 mi (121 km long in the U The Colorado River (' Aha Kwahwat in Mojave) is a River in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately The Colorado River (' Aha Kwahwat in Mojave) is a River in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately The San Juan River is a tributary of the Colorado River, 400 mi (644 km long in the western United States. The White River is a tributary of the Green River, approximately 160 mi (257 km long in the U 1%
Clear Creek	South Platte River	0711,497 km² 578 mi²	0551,497 km² 578 mi²	A028100%
Taylor River	Gunnison River	0721,258 km² 486 mi²	0581,258 km² 486 mi²	A029100%
Boulder Creek[6]	Saint Vrain Creek	0731,160 km² 448 mi²	0601,160 km² 448 mi²	A030100%
Cherry Creek	South Platte River	0731,050 km² 405 mi²	0601,050 km² 405 mi²	A030100%

See also

• hydrology
  • surface-water hydrology
    • drainage basin
• State of Colorado
  • Geography of Colorado
    • List of rivers in Colorado

References

External links

• State of Colorado website
  • Colorado Division of Natural Resources
    • Colorado Water Conservation Board
    • Colorado Division of Water Resources
    • Colorado Geological Survey
      • Major Rivers of Colorado
    • Colorado's Decision Support Systems
• Colorado Watersheds
• Colorado Hydrologic Units

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