Rio Grande

rivers · southwestern US · natural borders

Super long river. The Rio Grande stretches for 1,896 miles, making it the fourth longest river in the entire United States and North America. That's like driving across the whole country and then some!

Starts in Colorado. The Rio Grande begins high up in the mountains of south-central Colorado and travels all the way down to empty into the Gulf of Mexico, crossing through New Mexico and Texas along the way.

Shared border. The river serves as a natural boundary between the United States and Mexico, dividing the two countries for a significant portion of its journey.

Huge watershed. The Rio Grande's drainage basin covers over 182,000 square miles, with the total water collection area reaching 336,000 square miles when you include the surrounding basins.

Desert river. The Rio Grande flows through desert and semi-arid landscapes in the Southwest, making it incredibly important for people, farms, and wildlife that depend on its water.