Montana River Map showing major rivers in Montana, River start and end point, county boundaries.
River Map of Montana State
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Rivers and Waterways in Montana
Montana鈥檚 river systems are shaped by the Rocky Mountains and wide plains, with water flowing in multiple directions across the state. Many rivers drain west into the Columbia River system and the Pacific Ocean, while others flow east toward the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. Northern areas also contribute to the Hudson Bay drainage. Snowmelt from the mountains feeds major rivers, and numerous reservoirs and natural lakes support irrigation, hydropower, and recreation across Montana鈥檚 diverse landscape.
Major Rivers in Montana
| River | Length (Approx.) | Region | Flows Into |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri River | 2,341 mi | Central | Mississippi River |
| Yellowstone River | 692 mi | South | Missouri River |
| Clark Fork River | 310 mi | West | Columbia River |
| Kootenai River | 485 mi | Northwest | Columbia River |
| Flathead River | 158 mi | Northwest | Clark Fork River |
| Bitterroot River | 84 mi | West | Clark Fork River |
| Milk River | 729 mi | North | Missouri River |
| Marias River | 210 mi | North | Missouri River |
| Jefferson River | 83 mi | Southwest | Missouri River |
| Madison River | 183 mi | Southwest | Missouri River |
| Gallatin River | 120 mi | Southwest | Missouri River |
| Sun River | 70 mi | Central | Missouri River |
| Powder River | 375 mi | Southeast | Yellowstone River |
| Tongue River | 265 mi | Southeast | Yellowstone River |
| Big Hole River | 153 mi | Southwest | Jefferson River |
| Smith River | 110 mi | Central | Missouri River |
| Stillwater River | 70 mi | South | Yellowstone River |
| Blackfoot River | 132 mi | West | Clark Fork River |
Major Lakes in Montana
| Lake | Type | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Flathead Lake | Natural lake | Northwest |
| Fort Peck Lake | Reservoir | East |
| Canyon Ferry Lake | Reservoir | Central |
| Hungry Horse Reservoir | Reservoir | Northwest |
| Lake Koocanusa | Reservoir | Northwest |
| Hebgen Lake | Reservoir | Southwest |
| Hauser Lake | Reservoir | Central |
| Holter Lake | Reservoir | Central |
| Whitefish Lake | Natural lake | Northwest |
| Seeley Lake | Natural lake | West |
Major River Basins in Montana
Montana鈥檚 river basins are unique in that they drain into three major systems: the Pacific Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and Hudson Bay. This makes the state a key headwaters region for much of North America鈥檚 water flow.
- Missouri River Basin
- Yellowstone River Basin
- Clark Fork River Basin
- Kootenai River Basin
- Flathead River Basin
- Milk River Basin
- Marias River Basin
- Columbia River Basin
- Hudson Bay Basin
Montana Rivers Facts
| State | Montana |
| Total Rivers & Streams | 170,000+ miles of streams |
| Major Rivers | Missouri, Yellowstone, Clark Fork |
| Total Waterway Length | 175,000+ miles |
| Main Drainage | Missouri, Columbia & Hudson Bay Systems |
| Longest River | Missouri River |
| Shortest River | Sun River |
| Major River Basins | 9 Primary Basins |
| Primary Outlet | Gulf of Mexico, Pacific Ocean, Hudson Bay |
| Key Uses | Irrigation, hydropower, recreation, water supply |
| Longest River Within State | Yellowstone River |
| Number of River Basins | 8鈥�10 Basins |
| Major Reservoirs | Fort Peck Lake, Canyon Ferry Lake, Hungry Horse Reservoir |
| Primary Water Source | Snowmelt and surface water |
River Maps of the 50 U.S. States 鈥� Click on a State to View Its River Map
- Alabama River Map
- Alaska River Map
- Arizona River Map
- Arkansas River Map
- California River Map
- Colorado River Map
- Connecticut River Map
- Delaware River Map
- Florida River Map
- Georgia River Map
- Hawaii River Map
- Idaho River Map
- Illinois River Map
- Indiana River Map
- Iowa River Map
- Kansas River Map
- Kentucky River Map
- Louisiana River Map
- Maine River Map
- Maryland River Map
- Massachusetts River Map
- Michigan River Map
- Minnesota River Map
- Mississippi River Map
- Missouri River Map
- Montana River Map
- Nebraska River Map
- Nevada River Map
- New Hampshire River Map
- New Jersey River Map
- New Mexico River Map
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- North Carolina River Map
- North Dakota River Map
- Ohio River Map
- Oklahoma River Map
- Oregon River Map
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- South Dakota River Map
- Tennessee River Map
- Texas River Map
- Utah River Map
- Vermont River Map
- Virginia River Map
- Washington River Map
- West Virginia River Map
- Wisconsin River Map
- Wyoming River Map