Search Geography Explorer

Search countries, cities, rivers, lakes, deserts, oceans, islands and more

Fun facts about Colorado River

5 facts - tap any card to flip it and learn more.

Discover more facts
Horseshoe Bend 13 February 2023
river

The Colorado River begins in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Colorado River
Multiple
Tap to learn more
river

Colorado River

Multiple

Length
2,334 km
Mouth
Gulf of California
Countries
United States, Mexico
29th longest river in the world

The Colorado River is one of the principal rivers in the Southwestern United States and in northern Mexico. The 1,450-mile-long (2,330 km) river, the 5th longest in the United States, drains an expansive, arid watershed that encompasses parts of seven U.S. states and two Mexican states.

From the “Course” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Charles Wang · CC BY-SA 4.0

Fact 1 permalink
Horseshoe Bend 13 February 2023
river

The Colorado River Basin is the seventh largest drainage basin in North America.

Colorado River
Multiple
Tap to learn more
river

Colorado River

Multiple

Length
2,334 km
Mouth
Gulf of California
Countries
United States, Mexico
29th longest river in the world

The Colorado River is one of the principal rivers in the Southwestern United States and in northern Mexico. The 1,450-mile-long (2,330 km) river, the 5th longest in the United States, drains an expansive, arid watershed that encompasses parts of seven U.S. states and two Mexican states.

From the “Drainage basin” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Charles Wang · CC BY-SA 4.0

Fact 2 permalink
Horseshoe Bend 13 February 2023
river

Up to 90 percent of the river's flow originates as snowmelt from the Rocky Mountains.

Colorado River
Multiple
Tap to learn more
river

Colorado River

Multiple

Length
2,334 km
Mouth
Gulf of California
Countries
United States, Mexico
29th longest river in the world

The Colorado River is one of the principal rivers in the Southwestern United States and in northern Mexico. The 1,450-mile-long (2,330 km) river, the 5th longest in the United States, drains an expansive, arid watershed that encompasses parts of seven U.S. states and two Mexican states.

From the “Discharge” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Charles Wang · CC BY-SA 4.0

Fact 3 permalink
Horseshoe Bend 13 February 2023
river

The Colorado River first formed as a west-flowing stream draining the southwestern portion of the Rocky Mountains.

Colorado River
Multiple
Tap to learn more
river

Colorado River

Multiple

Length
2,334 km
Mouth
Gulf of California
Countries
United States, Mexico
29th longest river in the world

The Colorado River is one of the principal rivers in the Southwestern United States and in northern Mexico. The 1,450-mile-long (2,330 km) river, the 5th longest in the United States, drains an expansive, arid watershed that encompasses parts of seven U.S. states and two Mexican states.

From the “Geology” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Charles Wang · CC BY-SA 4.0

Fact 4 permalink
Horseshoe Bend 13 February 2023
river

The first major agriculture-based societies arose a significant distance from the Colorado River.

Colorado River
Multiple
Tap to learn more
river

Colorado River

Multiple

Length
2,334 km
Mouth
Gulf of California
Countries
United States, Mexico
29th longest river in the world

The Colorado River is one of the principal rivers in the Southwestern United States and in northern Mexico. The 1,450-mile-long (2,330 km) river, the 5th longest in the United States, drains an expansive, arid watershed that encompasses parts of seven U.S. states and two Mexican states.

From the “History” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Charles Wang · CC BY-SA 4.0

Fact 5 permalink