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Alabama River Map (PDF) | Major Rivers & Lakes in Alabama

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: April 03, 2026 | 15:05 ET

Alabama River Map showing major rivers in Alabama, River start and end point, county boundaries.

River Map of Alabama State

Rivers and Waterways in Alabama

Alabama’s river system is one of the most extensive in the southeastern United States, shaped by rolling hills in the north, fertile plains in the center, and coastal lowlands along the Gulf. Most rivers flow southward into the Mobile Bay system before reaching the Gulf of Mexico, while a smaller portion drains toward the Tennessee River and ultimately the Mississippi River. The state also features numerous reservoirs and a few natural lakes that support hydropower, navigation, and outdoor recreation across its diverse regions.

Major Rivers in Alabama

RiverLength (Approx.)RegionFlows Into
Alabama River318 miCentralMobile River
Tennessee River652 miNorthOhio River
Coosa River280 miEastAlabama River
Tallapoosa River265 miEastAlabama River
Tombigbee River200 miWestMobile River
Black Warrior River178 miCentralTombigbee River
Cahaba River194 miCentralAlabama River
Chattahoochee River430 miEastApalachicola River
Flint River344 miSoutheastApalachicola River
Escambia River258 miSouthEscambia Bay
Conecuh River231 miSouthEscambia River
Pea River154 miSoutheastChoctawhatchee River
Choctawhatchee River141 miSoutheastChoctawhatchee Bay
Perdido River65 miSouthGulf of Mexico
Fish River28 miSouthWeeks Bay
Locust Fork158 miNorthBlack Warrior River
Sipsey River145 miWestTombigbee River
Paint Rock River58 miNorthTennessee River

Major Lakes in Alabama

LakeTypeRegion
Lake GuntersvilleReservoirNorth
Wilson LakeReservoirNorth
Wheeler LakeReservoirNorth
Lay LakeReservoirCentral
Logan Martin LakeReservoirCentral
Lake MartinReservoirEast
Lewis Smith LakeReservoirNorth
Weiss LakeReservoirNorth
Lake EufaulaReservoirSoutheast
Little River Canyon LakeNatural lakeNorth

Major River Basins in Alabama

Alabama’s river basins are closely tied to its geography, with most waters eventually draining into Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, while northern streams feed into the Tennessee River system. These basins are vital for transportation, water supply, and ecological balance throughout the state.

  • Mobile River Basin
  • Tennessee River Basin
  • Alabama River Basin
  • Coosa River Basin
  • Tallapoosa River Basin
  • Tombigbee River Basin
  • Black Warrior River Basin
  • Escambia River Basin
  • Choctawhatchee River Basin

Alabama Rivers Facts

StateAlabama
Total Rivers & Streams77,000+ miles of streams
Major RiversAlabama, Tennessee, Coosa, Tombigbee
Total Waterway Length132,000+ miles
Main DrainageMobile Bay & Gulf of Mexico
Longest RiverTennessee River
Shortest RiverFish River
Major River Basins9 Primary Basins
Primary OutletGulf of Mexico
Key UsesNavigation, hydropower, water supply, recreation
Longest River Within StateAlabama River
Number of River Basins14 Major Basins
Major ReservoirsLake Guntersville, Lake Martin, Wheeler Lake
Primary Water SourceSurface water and reservoirs