List of tributaries of the Missouri River

Map of the Missouri River watershed
The White River flowing into the Missouri River and coloring it with clay

Tributaries of the Missouri River, a major river in the central United States, are listed here in upstream order. These lists are arranged into river sections between cities or mouths of major tributaries for ease of navigation. Two large tributaries (the Platte and Yellowstone) have their own separate lists because they would be too lengthy to include in part of another section.

Data is derived from U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) topographical maps and the USGS National Map.

Table of primary tributaries

Waterway Orientation Length (km) Mouth coordinates Mouth location Source coordinates Source location
Arrow Creek Right 115 mi (185 km) 47°42′52″N 109°49′43″W / 47.714444444°N 109.828611111°W / 47.714444444; -109.828611111 Chouteau County, Montana 47°24′03″N 110°36′20″W / 47.400833333°N 110.605555555°W / 47.400833333; -110.605555555 Judith Basin County, Montana
Auxvasse Creek Left 50 mi (80 km) 38°40′55″N 91°49′23″W / 38.68194444°N 91.82305556°W / 38.68194444; -91.82305556 Auxvasse Township, Callaway County, Missouri 38°57′25″N 92°03′57″W / 38.956944444°N 92.065833333°W / 38.956944444; -92.065833333 Kingdom City, Missouri
Bad River Right 160 mi (260 km) 44°21′16″N 100°22′05″W / 44.3544°N 100.368°W / 44.3544; -100.368 Fort Pierre, South Dakota 44°02′06″N 101°39′58″W / 44.035111111°N 101.666083333°W / 44.035111111; -101.666083333 Haakon County
Belt Creek Right 80 mi (129 km) 47°35′53″N 111°02′55″W / 47.598055555°N 111.048611111°W / 47.598055555; -111.048611111 Great Falls, Montana 46°50′46″N 110°41′33″W / 46.846222222°N 110.692611111°W / 46.846222222; -110.692611111 White Sulphur Springs, Montana
Blue River Right 40 mi (64 km) 39°07′48″N 94°28′15″W / 39.1300042°N 94.470786°W / 39.1300042; -94.470786 Kansas City, Missouri 38°48′31″N 94°40′50″W / 38.8086194°N 94.680513°W / 38.8086194; -94.680513 Overland Park, Kansas
Big Berger Creek Right 25 mi (40 km) 38°37′14″N 91°13′43″W / 38.620555555°N 91.228611111°W / 38.620555555; -91.228611111 New Haven, Missouri 38°33′30″N 91°26′25″W / 38.558361111°N 91.440194444°W / 38.558361111; -91.440194444 Boeuf Township, Gasconade County, Missouri
Big Dry Creek Right 103 mi (165 km) 47°30′55″N 106°16′41″W / 47.51528°N 106.27809°W / 47.51528; -106.27809 Circle, Montana 47°16′20″N 107°08′32″W / 47.272166666°N 107.142305555°W / 47.272166666; -107.142305555 Jordan, Montana
Big Muddy Creek Left 191 mi (307 km) 48°08′30″N 104°36′43″W / 48.141666666°N 104.611944444°W / 48.141666666; -104.611944444 Roosevelt County, Montana 49°02′55″N 104°52′46″W / 49.048527777°N 104.879416666°W / 49.048527777; -104.879416666 Rural Municipality of Happy Valley No. 10
Big Sioux River Left 419 mi (674 km) 42°29′27″N 96°26′47″W / 42.490833333°N 96.446388888°W / 42.490833333; -96.446388888 Sioux City, Iowa 45°19′18″N 97°02′33″W / 45.3216285°N 97.0425776°W / 45.3216285; -97.0425776 Roberts County, South Dakota
Boyer River Left 139 mi (224 km) 41°27′11″N 95°55′09″W / 41.4531°N 95.9192°W / 41.4531; -95.9192 Pottawattamie County, Iowa 42°35′56″N 95°16′34″W / 42.598805555°N 95.276138888°W / 42.598805555; -95.276138888 Maple Valley Township, Buena Vista County, Iowa
Cannonball River Right 135 mi (217 km) 46°25′45″N 100°35′54″W / 46.429166666°N 100.598333333°W / 46.429166666; -100.598333333 Sioux County, North Dakota 46°28′12″N 103°12′24″W / 46.47°N 103.206666666°W / 46.47; -103.206666666 Slope County, North Dakota
Chariton River Left 218 mi (351 km) 39°18′47″N 92°57′29″W / 39.313°N 92.958°W / 39.313; -92.958 Keytesville, Missouri 40°49′50″N 93°30′32″W / 40.830555555°N 93.508888888°W / 40.830555555; -93.508888888 Humeston, Iowa
Cheyenne River Right 295 mi (475 km) 44°46′15″N 100°43′04″W / 44.770833333°N 100.717777777°W / 44.770833333; -100.717777777 Stanley County, South Dakota 43°25′34″N 105°03′32″W / 43.426111111°N 105.058888888°W / 43.426111111; -105.058888888 Converse County, Wyoming
Cow Creek Left 62 mi (100 km) 47°47′18″N 108°56′06″W / 47.788333333°N 108.935°W / 47.788333333; -108.935 Blaine County, Montana 48°05′26″N 109°20′03″W / 48.090472222°N 109.334305555°W / 48.090472222; -109.334305555 Blaine County, Montana
Crooked River Left 70 mi (113 km) 39°13′00″N 93°50′33″W / 39.216666666°N 93.8425°W / 39.216666666; -93.8425 Ray County, Missouri 39°30′24″N 94°16′37″W / 39.506666666°N 94.276944444°W / 39.506666666; -94.276944444 Clinton County, Missouri
Cuivre River Right 35 mi (56 km) 38°56′00″N 90°41′11″W / 38.9334°N 90.6865°W / 38.9334; -90.6865 St. Charles County, Missouri 39°01′02″N 90°59′34″W / 39.017222222°N 90.992777777°W / 39.017222222; -90.992777777 Bedford Township, Lincoln County, Missouri
Dearborn River Left 70 mi (113 km) 47°07′41″N 111°54′37″W / 47.128055555°N 111.910277777°W / 47.128055555; -111.910277777 Cascade, Montana 47°18′33″N 112°49′10″W / 47.309166666°N 112.819444444°W / 47.309166666; -112.819444444 Lewis and Clark County, Montana
Fishing River Left 39 mi (63 km) 39°10′31″N 94°08′27″W / 39.17528°N 94.14078°W / 39.17528; -94.14078 Orrick, Missouri 39°18′53″N 94°29′45″W / 39.314722222°N 94.495777777°W / 39.314722222; -94.495777777 Platte Township, Clay County, Missouri
Floyd River Left 110 mi (180 km) 42°28′59″N 96°23′30″W / 42.4830497°N 96.3916957°W / 42.4830497; -96.3916957 Sioux City, Iowa 43°14′02″N 95°37′12″W / 43.233888888°N 95.620055555°W / 43.233888888; -95.620055555 Sanborn, Iowa
Gallatin River Left 120 mi (193 km) 45°56′20″N 111°29′35″W / 45.9389°N 111.493°W / 45.9389; -111.493 Gallatin County, Montana 44°51′27″N 110°52′59″W / 44.85739°N 110.8831°W / 44.85739; -110.8831 Park County, Montana
Gasconade River Right 280 mi (450 km) 38°40′28″N 91°32′55″W / 38.674444444°N 91.548611111°W / 38.674444444; -91.548611111 Gasconade, Missouri 37°11′55″N 92°43′06″W / 37.198666666°N 92.718361111°W / 37.198666666; -92.718361111 Seymour, Missouri
Grand River Left 470 mi (760 km) 39°23′02″N 93°06′29″W / 39.384°N 93.108°W / 39.384; -93.108 Brunswick, Missouri 41°01′29″N 94°16′04″W / 41.024611111°N 94.267694444°W / 41.024611111; -94.267694444 Union County, Iowa
Grand River Right 188 mi (303 km) 45°34′32″N 100°28′02″W / 45.575555555°N 100.467222222°W / 45.575555555; -100.467222222 Mobridge, South Dakota 45°45′13″N 102°12′16″W / 45.753666666°N 102.204527777°W / 45.753666666; -102.204527777 Perkins County, South Dakota
Heart River Right 295 mi (475 km) 46°46′03″N 100°50′31″W / 46.7675°N 100.842°W / 46.7675; -100.842 Bismarck, North Dakota 46°56′25″N 103°18′56″W / 46.940194444°N 103.315527777°W / 46.940194444; -103.315527777 Belfield, North Dakota
James River Right 710 mi (1,143 km) 42°52′17″N 97°17′26″W / 42.8714°N 97.2906°W / 42.8714; -97.2906 Yankton, South Dakota 46°56′25″N 103°18′56″W / 46.940194444°N 103.315527777°W / 46.940194444; -103.315527777 Belfield, North Dakota
Jefferson River Left 83 mi (134 km) 45°55′39″N 111°30′29″W / 45.9275°N 111.508056°W / 45.9275; -111.508056 Three Forks, Montana 45°33′42″N 112°20′15″W / 45.561722222°N 112.337472222°W / 45.561722222; -112.337472222 Twin Bridges, Montana
Judith River Right 140 mi (220 km) 47°44′06″N 109°38′46″W / 47.735°N 109.646111111°W / 47.735; -109.646111111 Fergus County, Montana 46°50′56″N 110°16′10″W / 46.849027777°N 110.269444444°W / 46.849027777; -110.269444444 Judith Basin County, Montana
Kansas River Right 148 mi (238 km) 39°06′55″N 94°36′38″W / 39.115278°N 94.610556°W / 39.115278; -94.610556 Kansas City, Kansas 39°03′36″N 96°48′05″W / 39.06°N 96.801389°W / 39.06; -96.801389 Junction City, Kansas
Knife River Right 120 mi (193 km) 47°19′17″N 101°22′08″W / 47.321388888°N 101.368888888°W / 47.321388888; -101.368888888 Mercer County, North Dakota 47°11′02″N 103°12′40″W / 47.184027777°N 103.211083333°W / 47.184027777; -103.211083333 North Billings, North Dakota
Lamine River Right 62 mi (100 km) 38°58′47″N 92°51′05″W / 38.97975°N 92.8513°W / 38.97975; -92.8513 Boonville, Missouri 38°40′05″N 92°57′17″W / 38.668166666°N 92.95475°W / 38.668166666; -92.95475 Richland Township, Dickinson County, Iowa
Little Blue River Right 45 mi (73 km) 39°12′28″N 94°13′07″W / 39.207777777°N 94.218555555°W / 39.207777777; -94.218555555 Sibley, Missouri 38°50′08″N 94°32′06″W / 38.835611111°N 94.535055555°W / 38.835611111; -94.535055555 Belton, Missouri
Little Missouri River Right 560 mi (901 km) 47°34′41″N 102°43′23″W / 47.578138888°N 102.723083333°W / 47.578138888; -102.723083333 Dunn County, North Dakota 44°32′25″N 104°59′57″W / 44.5403°N 104.9991°W / 44.5403; -104.9991 Crook County, Wyoming
Little Muddy River Left 96 mi (154 km) 48°08′07″N 103°35′31″W / 48.1353°N 103.592°W / 48.1353; -103.592 Williams County, North Dakota 48°32′00″N 103°10′12″W / 48.533361111°N 103.169916666°W / 48.533361111; -103.169916666 Williams County
Little Sioux River Left 258 mi (415 km) 41°48′11″N 96°03′58″W / 41.803°N 96.066°W / 41.803; -96.066 Little Sioux Township, Harrison County, Iowa 43°39′35″N 95°18′19″W / 43.659833333°N 95.305333333°W / 43.659833333; -95.305333333 Rost Township, Jackson County, Minnesota
Loutre River Left 57 mi (92 km) 38°42′43″N 91°25′03″W / 38.71199°N 91.41738°W / 38.71199; -91.41738 Hermann, Missouri 39°05′08″N 91°47′57″W / 39.085611111°N 91.799138888°W / 39.085611111; -91.799138888 Loutre Township, Montgomery County, Missouri
Madison River Right 183 mi (295 km) 45°55′39″N 111°30′29″W / 45.9275°N 111.508055555°W / 45.9275; -111.508055555 Three Forks, Montana 44°38′32″N 110°51′56″W / 44.642155555°N 110.865488888°W / 44.642155555; -110.865488888 Park County, Wyoming
Marias River Right 210 mi (338 km) 47°55′48″N 110°29′26″W / 47.929972222°N 110.490611111°W / 47.929972222; -110.490611111 Chouteau County, Montana 48°29′12″N 112°13′41″W / 48.486666666°N 112.228055555°W / 48.486666666; -112.228055555 Glacier County, Montana
Milk River Left 729 mi (1,173 km) 48°03′22″N 106°19′08″W / 48.056111111°N 106.318888888°W / 48.056111111; -106.318888888 Valley County, Montana 48°51′20″N 113°01′10″W / 48.8555376°N 113.0195347°W / 48.8555376; -113.0195347 Glacier County, Montana
Moreau River Right 200 mi (320 km) 45°21′19″N 100°22′31″W / 45.355277777°N 100.375277777°W / 45.355277777; -100.375277777 Dewey County, South Dakota 45°08′40″N 102°50′21″W / 45.144388888°N 102.839055555°W / 45.144388888; -102.839055555 Perkins County, South Dakota
Mosquito Creek Left 60 mi (97 km) 41°10′34″N 95°50′25″W / 41.176°N 95.8402°W / 41.176; -95.8402 Council Bluffs, Iowa 41°47′55″N 95°22′51″W / 41.798666666°N 95.380916666°W / 41.798666666; -95.380916666 Union Township, Davis County, Iowa
Musselshell River Right 290 mi (470 km) 47°22′29″N 107°56′35″W / 47.374722°N 107.943056°W / 47.374722; -107.943056 Winnett, Montana 46°28′47″N 110°16′21″W / 46.479722°N 110.2725°W / 46.479722; -110.2725 Wheatland County, Montana
Niobrara River Right 569 mi (915 km) 42°46′18″N 98°02′46″W / 42.7717°N 98.0461°W / 42.7717; -98.0461 Niobrara, Nebraska 42°49′15″N 104°38′50″W / 42.8208°N 104.6472°W / 42.8208; -104.6472 Niobrara County, Wyoming
Nishnabotna River Left 16 mi (26 km) 40°28′57″N 95°41′43″W / 40.4825°N 95.695222222°W / 40.4825; -95.695222222 Watson, Missouri 40°39′09″N 95°37′25″W / 40.6525°N 95.623611111°W / 40.6525; -95.623611111 Hamburg, Iowa
Nodaway River Left 66 mi (106 km) 39°54′07″N 94°57′58″W / 39.902°N 94.966°W / 39.902; -94.966 Andrew County, Missouri 40°38′06″N 95°01′09″W / 40.635°N 95.019166666°W / 40.635; -95.019166666 Shambaugh, Iowa
Osage River Right 276 mi (444 km) 38°35′49″N 91°56′43″W / 38.596944444°N 91.945277777°W / 38.596944444; -91.945277777 Callaway County, Missouri 38°01′39″N 94°14′39″W / 38.0275321°N 94.2441147°W / 38.0275321; -94.2441147 Schell City, Missouri
Peace Creek Right 50 mi (80 km) 38°10′28″N 98°13′46″W / 38.174456°N 98.229508°W / 38.174456; -98.229508 Rice County, Kansas 37°57′59″N 98°38′48″W / 37.966403°N 98.64675°W / 37.966403; -98.64675 Stafford County, Kansas
Platte River Right 310 mi (499 km) 41°03′08″N 95°52′51″W / 41.0523°N 95.8807°W / 41.0523; -95.8807 Plattsmouth, Nebraska 41°06′50″N 100°40′33″W / 41.1139°N 100.6758°W / 41.1139; -100.6758 North Platte, Nebraska
Platte River Left 171 mi (275 km) 39°15′51″N 94°50′15″W / 39.2642°N 94.8375°W / 39.2642; -94.8375 Farley, Missouri 41°09′23″N 94°23′02″W / 41.156305555°N 94.383861111°W / 41.156305555; -94.383861111 Union County, Iowa
Poplar River Left 167 mi (269 km) 48°05′03″N 105°11′08″W / 48.084166666°N 105.185555555°W / 48.084166666; -105.185555555 Poplar, Montana 49°15′13″N 106°23′32″W / 49.253611111°N 106.392222222°W / 49.253611111; -106.392222222 Rural Municipality of Old Post No. 43
Redwater River Right 110 mi (177 km) 48°03′41″N 105°12′38″W / 48.061388888°N 105.210555555°W / 48.061388888; -105.210555555 Poplar, Montana 47°03′37″N 105°52′53″W / 47.060277777°N 105.881388888°W / 47.060277777; -105.881388888 Prairie County, Montana
Sixteen Mile Creek Left 69 mi (111 km) 46°06′20″N 111°23′52″W / 46.105555555°N 111.397777777°W / 46.105555555; -111.397777777 Broadwater County, Montana 46°15′29″N 110°32′42″W / 46.258138888°N 110.544888888°W / 46.258138888; -110.544888888 Meagher County, Montana
Smith River Right 120 mi (200 km) 47°24′49″N 111°28′43″W / 47.413611111°N 111.478611111°W / 47.413611111; -111.478611111 Cascade County, Montana 46°31′43″N 110°58′40″W / 46.528638888°N 110.977861111°W / 46.528638888; -110.977861111 Meagher County, Montana
Soldier River Left 67 mi (108 km) 41°44′15″N 96°05′52″W / 41.7375°N 96.0978°W / 41.7375; -96.0978 Mondamin, Iowa 42°16′11″N 95°19′47″W / 42.269694444°N 95.329694444°W / 42.269694444; -95.329694444 Hayes Township, Crawford County, Iowa
Sun River Left 130 mi (209 km) 47°29′42″N 111°18′43″W / 47.495°N 111.312°W / 47.495; -111.312 Great Falls, Montana 47°37′47″N 112°51′25″W / 47.629722222°N 112.856944444°W / 47.629722222; -112.856944444 Lewis and Clark County, Montana
Tarkio River Left 81 mi (130 km) 40°09′46″N 95°26′19″W / 40.16278°N 95.43859°W / 40.16278; -95.43859 Holt County, Missouri 41°11′38″N 95°03′45″W / 41.193877777°N 95.062488888°W / 41.193877777; -95.062488888 Cass County, Iowa
rivière Vermillion Left 96 mi (154 km) 42°43′59″N 96°53′26″W / 42.732931°N 96.890567°W / 42.732931; -96.890567 Vermillion, South Dakota 43°23′36″N 97°04′06″W / 43.393456°N 97.068215°W / 43.393456; -97.068215 Turner County
White River Right 580 mi (933 km) 43°42′00″N 99°26′08″W / 43.700111111°N 99.435694444°W / 43.700111111; -99.435694444 Chamberlain, South Dakota 42°41′10″N 103°50′14″W / 42.6861°N 103.8372°W / 42.6861; -103.8372 Harrison, Nebraska
Wolf River Right 45 mi (73 km) 39°53′55″N 95°11′30″W / 39.8986°N 95.1917°W / 39.8986; -95.1917 Doniphan County, Kansas 39°47′38″N 95°38′28″W / 39.793888888°N 95.641111111°W / 39.793888888; -95.641111111 Powhattan, Kansas
Yellowstone River Right 692 mi (1,114 km) 47°58′42″N 103°58′56″W / 47.978333333°N 103.982222222°W / 47.978333333; -103.982222222 Williams County, North Dakota 43°59′18″N 109°55′45″W / 43.988333333°N 109.929166666°W / 43.988333333; -109.929166666 Park County, Wyoming

Mouth to Kansas City

Kansas City to Plattsmouth

Platte River Basin

Plattsmouth to Pierre

Vermillion River

Pierre to Bismarck

Bismarck to Williston

  • Burnt Creek
  • Painted Woods Creek
  • Turtle Creek
  • Knife River
    • Spring Creek
    • Elm Creek
    • Deep Creek
    • Crooked Creek
    • Little Knife River
  • Garrison Creek
  • Douglas Creek (submerged under Lake Sakakawea)
    • East Branch Douglas Creek
    • Middle Branch Douglas Creek
    • West Branch Douglas Creek
  • Little Missouri River
    • Cherry Creek
      • Rough Creek
    • Crosby Creek
    • Beicegel Creek
    • Beaver Creek
      • Elk Creek
    • Knutson Creek
    • Davis Creek
    • Sand Creek
    • Deep Creek
      • West Fork Deep Creek
      • East Fork Deep Creek
    • Cannonball Creek
    • Beaver Creek
    • Boxelder Creek
      • Cabin Creek
    • Dry House Creek
    • Willow Creek
    • North Fork Little Missouri River
    • Prairie Creek
  • Shell Creek
    • East Fork Shell Creek
    • West Shell Creek
  • Bear Den Creek
  • Little Knife River
  • White Earth River
    • Paulsen Creek
  • Little Muddy River
  • Yellowstone River
    • Charbonneau Creek
    • Horse Creek
    • Fox Creek
    • Burns Creek
    • Box Elder Creek
    • Clear Creek
    • Cedar Creek
    • O'Fallon Creek
      • Sandstone Creek
    • Powder River
      • Mispah Creek
      • Little Powder River
      • Clear Creek
      • Wild Horse Creek
      • Crazy Woman Creek
        • South Fork Crazy Woman Creek
        • Middle Fork Crazy Woman Creek
        • North Fork Crazy Woman Creek
      • Dry Fork Powder River
      • Salt Creek
      • South Fork Powder River
      • North Fork Powder River
      • Middle Fork Powder River
        • Red Fork Powder River
        • Buffalo Creek
    • Tongue River
      • Pumpkin Creek
      • Ash Creek
      • Foster Creek
      • Lay Creek
      • Liscom Creek
      • Beaver Creek
      • Otter Creek
      • Hanging Woman Creek
      • Prairie Dog Creek
      • Goose Creek
      • Wolf Creek
    • Rosebud Creek
      • Little Rosebud Creek
      • West Rosebud Creek
      • Lame Deer Creek
      • Muddy Creek
      • Davis Creek
    • Armells Creek
      • East Fork Armells Creek
      • West Fork Armells Creek
    • Sarpy Creek
    • Bighorn River
      • Tullock Creek
      • Little Bighorn River
      • Beauvais Creek
      • Rotten Grass Creek
      • Soap Creek
      • Porcupine Creek
      • Crooked Creek
      • Shoshone River
        • Sage Creek
        • Spring Creek
        • North Fork Shoshone River
          • Elk Fork Shoshone River
        • South Fork Shoshone River
      • Dry Creek
      • Shell Creek
        • Beaver Creek
      • Greybull River
        • Meeteetse Creek
        • Wood River
          • South Fork Wood River
        • Francs Fork Greybull River
      • Nowood River
      • Fifteenmile Creek
        • Middle Fork Fifteenmile Creek
          • South Fork Fifteenmile Creek
      • Nowater Creek
      • Gooseberry Creek
      • Cottonwood Creek
        • Grass Creek
        • Prospect Creek
      • Kirby Creek
      • Owl Creek
      • Wind River
    • Fly Creek
    • Arrow Creek
    • Pryor Creek
      • Hay Creek
    • Blue Creek
    • Clarks Fork Yellowstone River
      • Rock Creek
        • Red Lodge Creek
      • Bear Creek
      • Bennett Creek
      • O'Hara Creek
      • Sunlight Creek
      • Crandall Creek
    • Stillwater River
      • Rosebud Creek
        • West Rosebud Creek
        • East Rosebud Creek
      • Limestone Creek
    • Sweet Grass Creek
    • Otter Creek
    • Boulder River
      • West Boulder River
      • East Boulder River
      • East Fork Boulder River
    • Big Timber Creek
      • Swamp Creek
    • Duck Creek
    • Shields River
      • Rock Creek
      • Cottonwood Creek
      • Flathead Creek
    • Gardiner River
      • Lava Creek
      • Winter Creek
      • Obsidian Creek
    • Hellroaring Creek
    • Lamar River
    • Tower Creek
    • Raven Creek
    • Thorofare Creek
    • North Fork Yellowstone River
    • South Fork Yellowstone River

North Dakota-Montana Border to Great Falls

Great Falls to Three Forks

Headwaters

See also

References

  • USGS Topo Maps for United States (Map). Cartography by United States Geological Survey. ACME Mapper.
  • The National Map Seamless Server (Map). Cartography by USGS. U.S. Geological Survey.
  • The National Map Viewer (Map). Cartography by USGS. U.S. Geological Survey. Archived from the original on 2012-03-29.