List of Longest Rivers in Canada

List of Longest Rivers in Canada: The Mackenzie River is the longest river of the Dominion of Canada. It is around 4,241 kilometers long. The Mackenzie River is in the northwest part of Canada. It has smaller rivers flowing into it. These rivers make up more than 50,000 lakes

In this article, we are going to discuss the Longest Rivers in Canada in detail.

List of Longest Rivers in Canada

Canada has more than 8,500 rivers which have proper names. Canada has over 2 million rivers. But it is hard to give an exact count because people define rivers differently. Here are the 47 longest river names of Canada as mentioned below.

List of Longest Rivers in Canada
Name	Mouth	Length (KM)	Source	Watershed Area	Provinces or States
Mackenzie River	Beaufort Sea	4,241	Thutade Lake	1,805,200 km2	Northwest Territories
Yukon River	Bering Sea	3,185	Teslin Lake	839,200 km2	British Columbia, Yukon, Alaska
Saint Lawrence River	Gulf of St. Lawrence	3,058	Seven Beaver Lake	1,344,200 km2	Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ontario, Michigan, Ohio, New York, Quebec
Nelson River	Hudson Bay	2,575	Bow Glacier	892,300 km2	Manitoba
Slave River	Great Slave Lake	2,338	Thutade Lake	616,400 km2	Alberta, Northwest Territories
Columbia River	Pacific Ocean	2,000	Columbia Lake	671,300 km2	British Columbia, Washington, Oregon
Saskatchewan River	Lake Winnipeg	1,939	Bow Glacier	335,900 km2	Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba
Peace River	Slave River	1,923	Thutade Lake	302,500 km2	British Columbia, Alberta
Churchill River (Hudson Bay)	Hudson Bay	1,609	Churchill Lake	281,300 km2	Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba
South Saskatchewan River	Saskatchewan River	1,392	Bow Glacier	146,100 km2	Alberta, Saskatchewan
Fraser River	Strait of Georgia	1,375	Fraser Pass	233,100 km2	British Columbia
North Saskatchewan River	Saskatchewan River	1,287	Saskatchewan Glacier	122,800 km2	Alberta, Saskatchewan
Ottawa River	Saint Lawrence River	1,271	Laurentian Mountains	146,300 km2	Quebec, Ontario
Athabasca River	Lake Athabasca	1,231	Columbia Icefield	95,300 km2	Alberta
Liard River	Mackenzie River	1,115	Saint Cyr Range	277,100 km2	Yukon, British Columbia, Northwest Territories
Assiniboine River	Red River	1,070	near Hazel Dell	182,000 km2	Saskatchewan, Manitoba
Milk River	Missouri River	1,005	Blackfeet Indian Reservation	61,200 km2	Alberta, Montana
Albany River	James Bay	982	Cat Lake	135,200 km2	Ontario
Severn River	Hudson Bay	982	Deer Lake	102,800 km2	Ontario
Back River	Chantrey Inlet	974	near Aylmer Lake	106,500 km2	Northwest Territories, Nunavut
Thelon River	Baker Lake	904	Lynx Lake	142,400 km2	Northwest Territories, Nunavut
La Grande River	James Bay	893	Lac Nichicun	97,600 km2	Quebec
Red River	Lake Winnipeg	890	Wahpeton and Breckinridge	287,500 km2	North Dakota, Minnesota, Manitoba
Koksoak River	Ungava Bay	874	Lake Sevestre	133,400 km2	Quebec
Churchill River (Atlantic)	Lake Melville	856	Ashuanipi Lake	79,800 km2	Newfoundland and Labrador
Coppermine River	Coronation Gulf	845	Lac de Gras	50,800 km2	Northwest Territories, Nunavut
Dubawnt River	Thelon River	842	Abitau Lake	57,500 km2	Northwest Territories, Nunavut
Winnipeg River	Lake Winnipeg	813	Trap Lake	135,800 km2	Ontario, Manitoba
Kootenay River	Columbia River	780	Beaverfoot Range	50,300 km2	British Columbia, Montana, Idaho
Nottaway River	James Bay	776	Lake Gilles	65,800 km2	Quebec
Rupert River	James Bay	763	north of Lake Mistassini	43,400 km2	Quebec
Eastmain River	James Bay	756	Lac Bréhat	46,400 km2	Quebec
Attawapiskat River	James Bay	748	Attawapiskat Lake	50,500 km2	Ontario
Kazan River	Thelon River	732	Ennadai Lake	71,500 km2	Nunavut
Red Deer River	South Saskatchewan River	724	Sawback Range	45,100 km2	Alberta
Great Whale River	Hudson Bay	724	Lake Saint-Lusson	42,700 km2	Quebec
Porcupine River	Yukon River	721	Ogilvie Mountains	117,900 km2	Yukon, Alaska
Pend d’Oreille River	Columbia River	703	near Butte	66,900 km2	Idaho, Washington, British Columbia
Hay River	Great Slave Lake	702	near Zama Lake	48,200 km2	Alberta, Northwest Territories
Saguenay River	Saint Lawrence River	698	near Otish Mountains	88,000 km2	Quebec
Anderson River	Beaufort Sea	692	northwest of Great Bear Lake	–	Northwest Territories
Peel River	Mackenzie River	684	Gill Lake	73,600 km2	Yukon, Northwest Territories
Saint John River	Bay of Fundy	673	Somerset County	55,200 km2	Maine, New Brunswick
Stewart River	Yukon River	644	Selwyn Mountains	51,000 km2	Yukon
Horton River	Franklin Bay	618	Kitikmeot Region, Nunavut	26,680 km2	Nunavut, Northwest Territories
English River	Winnipeg River	615	near Marmion Lake	52,300 km2	Ontario
Pelly River	Yukon River	608	Mackenzie Mountains	51,000 km2	Yukon

1. Mackenzie River – Beaufort Sea – 4,241 KM

The Mackenzie River is a long river in Canada’s northern forest. It starts at Great Slave Lake, near where Alberta and the Northwest Territories meet. The river flows northwest, around the Rocky Mountains, and ends in a wide, wet area at the Arctic Ocean. It is the second longest river in North America and Canada’s longest river system. It drains a large area, about one-fifth of Canada’s land, and brings lots of fresh water to the Arctic Ocean every year. Many animals live in and around the Mackenzie River, like white whales, fish hawks, big birds, and ducks.

Mackenzie River – Beaufort Sea – 4,241 KM
Location	Northwest Territories, Canada
Source	Great Slave Lake
Mouth	Beaufort Sea (Arctic Ocean)
Major Tributaries	Peace River, Liard River, Peel River
Importance	Longest river system in Canada
Ecosystem	Supports diverse wildlife and habitats
Economic Use	Transportation, fishing, tourism
Indigenous Names	Deh-Cho (Dene), Kuukpak (Inuvialuit)
Exploration	Explored by Alexander Mackenzie in 1789

2. Yukon River – Bering Sea – 3,185 KM

The Yukon River is a large river in Canada and Alaska. It is 1,980 miles long and begins at the McNeil River. Some smaller rivers join it, like the Teslin and Klondike rivers. There is a special place called the Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve along the Yukon and Charley rivers. People can stay in cabins there for free and see old mining stuff. The Yukon River starts in British Columbia, Canada, and flows through the Yukon territory. Then it goes into Alaska and empties into the Bering Sea. It is a huge river, even bigger than Texas or Alberta.

Yukon River – Bering Sea – 3,185 KM
Location	Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories, British Columbia, Alaska
Source	Atlin Lake, British Columbia, Canada
Mouth	Bering Sea, near the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta in Alaska, USA
Drainage basin	832,700 square kilometers (321,500 sq mi)
Tributaries	Pelly River, White River, Stewart River, Teslin River, Klondike River, Tanana River, Porcupine River
Major Cities	Whitehorse (Yukon), Dawson City (Yukon), Eagle (Alaska)
Indigenous Peoples	Many Indigenous communities along its banks, including the Gwich’in, Han, Upper Tanana, Koyukon, and others
Significance	Important transportation route during the Klondike Gold Rush, vital for wildlife and local communities, culturally significant for Indigenous peoples
Current Issues	Environmental concerns due to climate change, including changes in water temperature, river flow, and impacts on wildlife and ecosystems

3. Saint Lawrence River – Gulf of St. Lawrence – 3,058 KM

The St. Lawrence River is a big river that connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. It is about 1,197 kilometers long and covers an area of 16 million square kilometers. It flows from Lake Ontario to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, passing through Quebec, Ontario, and New York. The river’s drainage basin is about 1 million square kilometers, with 505,000 square kilometers in the US. It has eight bridges, including the Jacques Cartier Bridge, Thousand Islands Bridge, and Quebec Bridge. The St. Lawrence River’s mean discharge is almost 10,100 m/s, making it the largest in Canada. The area along the river, called the St. Lawrence River Valley or Kaniatarowanenneh by the Mohawks, has a long history of use by indigenous peoples dating back over 9,000 years.

Saint Lawrence River – Gulf of St. Lawrence – 3,058 KM
Source	Lake Ontario
Mouth	Gulf of Saint Lawrence, Atlantic Ocean
Countries	Canada (mainly), United States
Provinces	Ontario, Quebec
Tributaries	Ottawa River, Saguenay River, Saint-Maurice River, Richelieu River, others
Major Cities	Montreal, Quebec City, Trois-Rivières, Cornwall, Kingston, Sorel-Tracy, others
Importance	Vital shipping route, connects Great Lakes to Atlantic Ocean
Economic Impact	Significant for transportation, shipping, and trade
Navigation	Maintained by the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation
Wildlife	Supports diverse aquatic life including various fish species, marine mammals
Tourism	Popular for recreational activities such as boating, fishing, and cruises
Environmental Issues	Concerns include pollution, habitat degradation, and invasive species

4. Nelson River – Hudson Bay – 2,575 KM

The Nelson River is a long river in Manitoba, Canada. It starts at Playgreen Lake, goes northeast, and ends at Hudson Bay. Its total length, including other rivers, is 2,575 kilometers. It is named after Robert Nelson, a ship’s captain, but the Cree people called it Powinigow or Powinini-gow. The basin of the Nelson/Churchill river is big and important. It is the third largest water system in North America and covers eight Treaty territories and the homeland of the Métis. It helped Europeans settle in the west.

Nelson River – Hudson Bay – 2,575 KM
Location	Manitoba, Canada
Source	Lake Winnipeg
Mouth	Hudson Bay
Tributaries	Saskatchewan River, Burntwood River, Hayes River, Churchill River
Main Uses	Hydroelectric power generation (significant), transportation, fishing
Major Dams	– Jenpeg Generating Station – Kettle Generating Station – Long Spruce Generating Station – Limestone Generating Station – Kelsey Generating Station
Indigenous Use	Historically significant for Indigenous peoples, with traditional fishing and transportation routes
Wildlife	Home to various fish species including lake sturgeon, walleye, northern pike, and various migratory birds
Economic Impact	Major source of hydroelectric power for Manitoba and surrounding regions, supporting industry and communities
Environmental Concerns	Impacts on fish habitats and migration patterns due to dams, regulation of water flow affecting ecosystems

5. Slave River – Great Slave Lake – 2,338 KM

The Slave River starts in Alberta and flows into the Northwest Territories. It is named after the Slavey people. Chipewyan people moved others from the area. It’s famous for kayaking with four sets of fast-moving water called rapids. Some rapids are easy, some are hard. The river has lots of water and big waves. It is also home to North America’s northernmost pelican colony. It starts at the Peace-Athabasca Delta and eventually reaches the Arctic Ocean.

Slave River – Great Slave Lake – 2,338 KM
Location	Northwest Territories and Alberta, Canada
Source	Lake Athabasca
Mouth	Great Slave Lake
Tributaries	Hay River, Peace River, Buffalo River, and others
Major Cities	Fort Smith, Fort Resolution
Indigenous Name	Deh Cho (meaning “big river” in Dene language)
Significance	Important waterway for transportation, hydroelectricity generation, and recreational activities
Flora and Fauna	Supports diverse wildlife including fish species like Northern Pike, Walleye, and various bird species such as eagles and waterfowl
Historical Note	Played a significant role in the fur trade era and was a crucial transportation route for Indigenous peoples and early explorers

6. Columbia River – Pacific Ocean – 2,000 KM

The Columbia River is the fourth biggest river in the US. It starts in Canada and goes for 1,243 miles until it reaches the Pacific Ocean in Oregon and Washington. It is used for transportation, drinking water, and fishing. It also makes a lot of hydropower, about a third for the US. The river’s area is massive, covering parts of seven states and one Canadian province. It is the biggest river in the Pacific Northwest. People have relied on it for a long time, both culturally and economically. People have been living around the Columbia River for over 15,000 years. Salmon are in danger because the water is getting warmer.

Columbia River – Pacific Ocean – 2,000 KM
Origin	Columbia Lake, British Columbia
Mouth	Pacific Ocean at Astoria, Oregon, USA
Basin countries	Canada, United States
Tributaries	Kootenay River, Snake River, Pend Oreille River, Yakima River, Willamette River
Main cities	Revelstoke, Castlegar, Trail, Northport, Pasco, Kennewick, Richland, Vancouver
Major uses	Hydroelectric power generation, Navigation, Fishing, Recreation
Major dams	Mica Dam, Duncan Dam, Keenleyside Dam, Chief Joseph Dam, Grand Coulee Dam
Ecological significance	Home to diverse fish species including salmon, trout, and sturgeon. Important wildlife habitat and migration corridor.

7. Saskatchewan River – Lake Winnipeg – 1,939 KM

The Saskatchewan River is a big river in Canada that goes from the Rocky Mountains in Alberta to Lake Winnipeg. It’s the fourth-longest river in Canada and the biggest river system in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Its name means “fast-flowing river” in Cree. It starts when the North and South Saskatchewan rivers come together, both of which start in the Rocky Mountains. The North Saskatchewan River is 800 miles (1,287 km) long and the South Saskatchewan River is 865 miles (1,392 km) long. For thousands of years, the Saskatchewan River has been an important route for Indigenous people, and it was crucial for fur trade and early exploration by Europeans.

Saskatchewan River – Lake Winnipeg – 1,939 KM
Location	Western Canada, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba
Source	Rocky Mountains, Alberta
Mouth	Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba
Tributaries	North Saskatchewan River, South Saskatchewan River, Carrot River, Red Deer River, Battle River, Assiniboine River, many others
Major Cities	Edmonton, Alberta; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; Prince Albert, Saskatchewan; Winnipeg, Manitoba
Uses	Transportation, recreation, hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, drinking water supply
Importance	Economic lifeline for communities along its path; historically significant trade and transportation route
Wildlife	Supports diverse aquatic and riparian ecosystems; home to various fish species including walleye, northern pike, sauger, and goldeye; habitat for numerous bird species
Environmental Concerns	Habitat degradation due to urbanization, industrial pollution, agricultural runoff, and invasive species; potential impacts from climate change, including altered flow patterns and increased frequency of extreme weather events
Conservation Efforts	Various conservation initiatives aimed at preserving water quality, restoring habitat, and promoting sustainable use of resources; involvement of governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, and local communities

8. Peace River – Slave River – 1,923 KM

Peace River is a long river in Canada that starts in the Rocky Mountains and flows through Alberta. It joins the Athabasca River to form the Slave River. There is a town in Alberta where the Peace River, Smoky River, Heart River, and Pat’s Creek meet. Paynes Creek Historic State Park in Florida has a river where visitors can explore by boat or along the shores on foot.

Peace River – Slave River – 1,923 KM
Location	Northern Alberta, Canada
Climate	Continental Climate
Economy	Agriculture, Forestry, Oil & Gas
Attractions	– Peace River Museum, Archives, and Mackenzie Centre – Sagitawa Lookout – Riverfront Park – Misery Mountain Ski Area – Shaftesbury Ferry Crossing
Major Events	– Peace River Pow Wow – Peacefest Music Festival – World Jet Boat Championships
Transportation	– Peace River Airport (YPE) – Alberta Highway 2 – Peace River Railway Terminal
Education	– Northern Lakes College – Peace River High School – Glenmary School
Healthcare	Peace River Community Health Centre
Notable Landmarks	– Peace River Bridge – Pat’s Creek Bridge – Twelve Foot Davis Gravesite
Indigenous Presence	Traditional land of the Cree and Dene peoples

Longest River In The World – Nile – 6650 Kilometres

The Nile is a large river in Africa that flows into the Mediterranean Sea. It is the longest river in Africa and was once believed to be the longest in the world.

• It is 6,650 km long, starting from the Blue Nile.
• The river goes through Egypt and Sudan and near 10 other African countries.
• The Nile was very important for ancient Egypt, providing good land, transportation, food, and water for over 5,000 years.
• Today, 95% of Egypt’s people live along the Nile.

Shortest River In The World – Roe River – 61 Meters

The Roe River in Montana flows from Giant Springs to the Missouri River near Great Falls. Before 2006, it was called the world’s shortest river by Guinness. It is about 201 feet long at its longest point, which is around the same as the distance between first and second base in baseball. It might have been named after the Giant Springs Trout Hatchery.

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FAQs – List of Longest Rivers in Canada

What is the longest river entirely in Canada?

The Mackenzie River is not only the longest river in Canada, it is also considered the second longest river system in North America, and the twelfth longest river in the world.

What is the smallest river in Canada?

The shortest river in Canada, and the second shortest in the world, is the Powell River in B.C at only 500 metres long. The Mackenzie River is the longest river in Canada at 4,241 km long and feeding more than 50,000 lakes.

What is the longest river on earth?

The Nile River is the longest river in the world at 4,132 miles (6,650 km). It Flows from central Africa northward through northeastern Africa to the Mediterranean Sea and has three principal streams.

Does Canada have any major rivers?

The Arctic drainage basin is dominated by the Mackenzie River, while the St. Lawrence River is the largest river flowing into the Atlantic. In the west, The Fraser, Yukon and Columbia rivers all drain into the Pacific.

Which country has most rivers?

Bangladesh has the highest number of rivers (about 700) and is known as the ‘land of rivers’. Some major Rivers of Bangladesh are including Brahmaputra, Ganges, Suma, Atrai, Raidak, Mahananda, Teesta, Karnaphuli, Meghna and Bangshi among others.

What river begins in Canada?

The Columbia River is the largest river system in the Pacific Northwest, originating in Canada and flowing 1,253 miles to the Pacific Ocean. The river originates in Columbia Lake in British Columbia, 2,690 feet above sea level.