Iowa River Map showing major rivers in Iowa, River start and end point, county boundaries.
River Map of Iowa State
PDF Map - Free Download Iowa River Map, United States
More Iowa Maps & Info
| Iowa Map | Iowa County Map | Iowa Cities Map |
| Iowa Zipcodes | Where is Iowa | Airports in Iowa |
| Iowa Area Codes | Iowa Blank Map | Iowa River Map |
| Iowa Physical Map | Iowa Road Map | Where is Where is Des Moines |
Rivers and Waterways in Iowa
Iowa’s river systems flow across gently rolling plains and fertile farmland, with most waterways draining into the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. The state is bordered by these two major rivers, while interior rivers like the Des Moines and Cedar play an important role in agriculture and local water supply. Northern and central regions feature smaller tributaries, while southern areas have wider river valleys. Iowa also includes several reservoirs and natural lakes that support recreation, flood control, and water management.
Major Rivers in Iowa
| River | Length (Approx.) | Region | Flows Into |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River | 2,340 mi | East | Gulf of Mexico |
| Missouri River | 2,341 mi | West | Mississippi River |
| Des Moines River | 525 mi | Central | Mississippi River |
| Cedar River | 338 mi | East | Iowa River |
| Iowa River | 323 mi | Central | Mississippi River |
| Skunk River | 190 mi | South | Mississippi River |
| Big Sioux River | 419 mi | Northwest | Missouri River |
| Raccoon River | 200 mi | Central | Des Moines River |
| Little Sioux River | 258 mi | West | Missouri River |
| Wapsipinicon River | 300 mi | East | Mississippi River |
| Turkey River | 153 mi | Northeast | Mississippi River |
| Nishnabotna River | 157 mi | Southwest | Missouri River |
| Chariton River | 241 mi | South | Missouri River |
| Floyd River | 92 mi | Northwest | Missouri River |
| Maquoketa River | 150 mi | East | Mississippi River |
| Upper Iowa River | 156 mi | Northeast | Mississippi River |
| Shell Rock River | 113 mi | North | Cedar River |
| Winnebago River | 112 mi | North | Shell Rock River |
Major Lakes in Iowa
| Lake | Type | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Spirit Lake | Natural lake | Northwest |
| West Okoboji Lake | Natural lake | Northwest |
| East Okoboji Lake | Natural lake | Northwest |
| Red Rock Lake | Reservoir | Central |
| Coralville Lake | Reservoir | East |
| Saylorville Lake | Reservoir | Central |
| Lake Macbride | Reservoir | East |
| Clear Lake | Natural lake | North |
| Rathbun Lake | Reservoir | South |
| Storm Lake | Natural lake | Northwest |
Major River Basins in Iowa
Iowa is divided between two major drainage systems, with rivers flowing either east into the Mississippi River or west into the Missouri River. These basins are essential for agriculture, water supply, and managing seasonal flooding across the state.
- Mississippi River Basin
- Missouri River Basin
- Des Moines River Basin
- Cedar River Basin
- Iowa River Basin
- Skunk River Basin
- Big Sioux River Basin
- Raccoon River Basin
- Wapsipinicon River Basin
Iowa Rivers Facts
| State | Iowa |
| Total Rivers & Streams | 70,000+ miles of streams |
| Major Rivers | Mississippi, Missouri, Des Moines, Cedar |
| Total Waterway Length | 75,000+ miles |
| Main Drainage | Mississippi & Missouri River Systems |
| Longest River | Missouri River |
| Shortest River | Floyd River |
| Major River Basins | 9 Primary Basins |
| Primary Outlet | Gulf of Mexico |
| Key Uses | Agriculture, water supply, flood control, recreation |
| Longest River Within State | Des Moines River |
| Number of River Basins | 8–10 Basins |
| Major Reservoirs | Red Rock Lake, Coralville Lake, Rathbun Lake |
| Primary Water Source | Surface water and rivers |
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
- Indiana River Map
- Iowa River Map
- Kansas River Map
- Kentucky River Map
- Louisiana River Map
- Maine River Map
- Maryland River Map
- Massachusetts River Map
- Michigan River Map
- Minnesota River Map
- Mississippi River Map
- Missouri River Map
- Montana River Map
- Nebraska River Map
- Nevada River Map
- New Hampshire River Map
- New Jersey River Map
- New Mexico River Map
- New York River Map
- North Carolina River Map
- North Dakota River Map
- Ohio River Map
- Oklahoma River Map
- Oregon River Map
- Pennsylvania River Map
- Rhode Island River Map
- South Carolina River Map
- South Dakota River Map
- Tennessee River Map
- Texas River Map
- Utah River Map
- Vermont River Map
- Virginia River Map
- Washington River Map
- West Virginia River Map
- Wisconsin River Map
- Wyoming River Map