North Dakota River Map (PDF) | Major Rivers & Lakes in North Dakota

Written and Fact-checked by 青青草视频 Editors | Updated On: April 03, 2026 | 15:05 ET

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

River Map of North Dakota State

About Map: North Dakota River Map showing major rivers in North Dakota, county boundaries and state boundary.

PDF Map - Free Download North Dakota River Map, United States

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Rivers and Waterways in North Dakota

North Dakota鈥檚 river systems are shaped by plains and glacial landscapes, with water flowing in two main directions. Much of the eastern part of the state drains north into the Red River of the North and eventually Hudson Bay, while western rivers flow south and east into the Missouri River and the Mississippi system. Rivers are often seasonal and influenced by snowmelt. Reservoirs and lakes are essential for water storage, flood control, irrigation, and recreation across the state.

Major Rivers in North Dakota

River	Length (Approx.)	Region	Flows Into
Missouri River	2,341 mi	West	Mississippi River
Red River of the North	550 mi	East	Lake Winnipeg
James River	710 mi	East	Missouri River
Sheyenne River	591 mi	East	Red River
Little Missouri River	560 mi	West	Missouri River
Cannonball River	113 mi	Central	Missouri River
Heart River	180 mi	Central	Missouri River
Knife River	208 mi	Central	Missouri River
Souris River	700 mi	North	Assiniboine River
Pembina River	209 mi	North	Red River
Turtle River	90 mi	North	Red River
Maple River	150 mi	East	Sheyenne River
Wild Rice River	251 mi	East	Red River
Elm River	70 mi	Central	James River
Beaver Creek	120 mi	West	Little Missouri River
Apple Creek	80 mi	Central	Missouri River
Painted Woods Creek	90 mi	Central	Missouri River
Forest River	75 mi	North	Red River

Major Lakes in North Dakota

Lake	Type	Region
Lake Sakakawea	Reservoir	Central
Devils Lake	Natural lake	North
Lake Oahe	Reservoir	South
Lake Ashtabula	Reservoir	East
Lake Audubon	Reservoir	Central
Spiritwood Lake	Natural lake	East
Lake Metigoshe	Natural lake	North
Brush Lake	Natural lake	Central
Sweetwater Lake	Natural lake	West
Des Lacs Lake	Natural lake	North

Major River Basins in North Dakota

North Dakota鈥檚 river basins are divided between the Missouri River system and the Hudson Bay drainage via the Red River. These basins are essential for agriculture, flood control, and maintaining water resources across the state.

Missouri River Basin
Red River Basin
James River Basin
Sheyenne River Basin
Little Missouri River Basin
Souris River Basin
Pembina River Basin
Heart River Basin
Knife River Basin

North Dakota Rivers Facts

State	North Dakota
Total Rivers & Streams	45,000+ miles of streams
Major Rivers	Missouri, Red River, James, Sheyenne
Total Waterway Length	48,000+ miles
Main Drainage	Missouri River & Hudson Bay
Longest River	Missouri River
Shortest River	Elm River
Major River Basins	9 Primary Basins
Primary Outlet	Mississippi River & Hudson Bay
Key Uses	Agriculture, flood control, water supply, recreation
Longest River Within State	James River
Number of River Basins	8鈥�10 Basins
Major Reservoirs	Lake Sakakawea, Lake Oahe, Lake Audubon
Primary Water Source	Surface water and reservoirs

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