California River Map showing major rivers in California, River start and end point, county boundaries.
River Map of California State
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Rivers and Waterways in California
California’s river systems vary widely, from snow-fed mountain rivers in the Sierra Nevada to seasonal streams in desert regions and coastal waterways flowing into the Pacific Ocean. Most rivers in the state drain westward into the Pacific, while others feed into inland basins like the Great Basin. Northern California features larger, year-round rivers, while southern areas depend heavily on managed water systems. The state also has many reservoirs and natural lakes that play a critical role in water storage, agriculture, and urban supply.
Major Rivers in California
| River | Length (Approx.) | Region | Flows Into |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento River | 447 mi | North | San Francisco Bay |
| San Joaquin River | 366 mi | Central | San Francisco Bay |
| Klamath River | 257 mi | North | Pacific Ocean |
| Colorado River | 1,450 mi | Southeast | Gulf of California |
| Feather River | 73 mi | North | Sacramento River |
| American River | 119 mi | Central | Sacramento River |
| Russian River | 110 mi | North | Pacific Ocean |
| Salinas River | 175 mi | Central Coast | Pacific Ocean |
| Trinity River | 165 mi | North | Klamath River |
| Tuolumne River | 149 mi | Central | San Joaquin River |
| Merced River | 145 mi | Central | San Joaquin River |
| Kings River | 125 mi | Central | San Joaquin River |
| Yuba River | 40 mi | North | Feather River |
| Eel River | 196 mi | North | Pacific Ocean |
| Mokelumne River | 95 mi | Central | San Joaquin River |
| Pit River | 207 mi | North | Sacramento River |
| Santa Ana River | 96 mi | South | Pacific Ocean |
| Los Angeles River | 51 mi | South | Pacific Ocean |
Major Lakes in California
| Lake | Type | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Tahoe | Natural lake | North |
| Clear Lake | Natural lake | North |
| Salton Sea | Natural lake | South |
| Shasta Lake | Reservoir | North |
| Lake Oroville | Reservoir | North |
| Folsom Lake | Reservoir | Central |
| San Luis Reservoir | Reservoir | Central |
| Don Pedro Lake | Reservoir | Central |
| New Melones Lake | Reservoir | Central |
| Lake Berryessa | Reservoir | North |
Major River Basins in California
California’s river basins are dominated by systems that drain into the Pacific Ocean, with the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers forming the state’s central watershed. Other basins include coastal systems and inland basins that do not reach the ocean, especially in desert regions.
- Sacramento River Basin
- San Joaquin River Basin
- Klamath River Basin
- Colorado River Basin
- Salinas River Basin
- Russian River Basin
- Santa Ana River Basin
- Los Angeles River Basin
- Great Basin (inland drainage)
California Rivers Facts
| State | California |
| Total Rivers & Streams | 100,000+ miles of streams |
| Major Rivers | Sacramento, San Joaquin, Colorado, Klamath |
| Total Waterway Length | 200,000+ miles |
| Main Drainage | Pacific Ocean |
| Longest River | Colorado River |
| Shortest River | Yuba River |
| Major River Basins | 9 Primary Basins |
| Primary Outlet | Pacific Ocean |
| Key Uses | Water supply, agriculture, hydroelectric power, recreation |
| Longest River Within State | Sacramento River |
| Number of River Basins | 10+ Basins |
| Major Reservoirs | Shasta Lake, Oroville Lake, San Luis Reservoir |
| Primary Water Source | Snowmelt and reservoir systems |
River Map OF U.S. 50 States - Click on State name for its River Map
- Alabama River Map
- Alaska River Map
- Arizona River Map
- Arkansas River Map
- California River Map
- Colorado River Map
- Connecticut River Map
- Delaware River Map
- Florida River Map
- Georgia River Map
- Hawaii River Map
- Idaho River Map
- Illinois River Map
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- Iowa River Map
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Location Map of California Cities
- Where is Berkeley
- Where is Clovis
- Where is Corona
- Where is Elk Grove
- Where is Escondido
- Where is Fontana
- Where is Fremont
- Where is Fullerton
- Where is Garden Grove
- Where is Hayward
- Where is Huntington Beach
- Where is Lancaster
- Where is Moreno Valley
- Where is Oceanside
- Where is Ontario
- Where is Orange
- Where is Oxnard
- Where is Palmdale
- Where is Pasadena
- Where is Pomona
- Where is Rancho Cucamonga
- Where is Roseville
- Where is Salinas
- Where is Santa Clara
- Where is Santa Clarita
- Where is Santa Rosa
- Where is Sunnyvale
- Where is Thousand Oaks
- Where is Torrance
- Where is Vallejo
- Where is Victorville
- Where is Visalia