New York River Map (PDF) | Major Rivers & Lakes in New York

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: April 03, 2026 | 15:05 ET

New York River Map showing major rivers in New York, River start and end point, county boundaries.

River Map of New York State

Rivers and Waterways in New York

New York’s river systems flow through mountains, valleys, and coastal plains, with water draining into the Atlantic Ocean, the Great Lakes, and the St. Lawrence River system. The Hudson River is the state’s most prominent waterway, while western rivers connect to Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Northern regions drain into the St. Lawrence River, and southern rivers flow toward the Atlantic. The state also has many lakes and reservoirs that support drinking water, transportation, recreation, and hydropower.

Major Rivers in New York

RiverLength (Approx.)RegionFlows Into
Hudson River315 miEastAtlantic Ocean
St. Lawrence River744 miNorthAtlantic Ocean
Mohawk River149 miCentralHudson River
Genesee River157 miWestLake Ontario
Niagara River36 miWestLake Ontario
Susquehanna River444 miSouthChesapeake Bay
Delaware River301 miSouthAtlantic Ocean
Oswego River23 miCentralLake Ontario
Black River125 miNorthLake Ontario
Raquette River146 miNorthSt. Lawrence River
Oswegatchie River137 miNorthSt. Lawrence River
Saranac River81 miNorthLake Champlain
Esopus Creek65 miEastHudson River
Rondout Creek63 miEastHudson River
Chemung River45 miSouthSusquehanna River
Allegheny River325 miSouthwestOhio River
Tonawanda Creek78 miWestNiagara River
Wallkill River88 miSouthHudson River

Major Lakes in New York

LakeTypeRegion
Lake OntarioNatural lakeNorth
Lake ErieNatural lakeWest
Lake ChamplainNatural lakeNorth
Oneida LakeNatural lakeCentral
Seneca LakeNatural lakeCentral
Cayuga LakeNatural lakeCentral
Lake GeorgeNatural lakeEast
Great Sacandaga LakeReservoirEast
Pepacton ReservoirReservoirSouth
Ashokan ReservoirReservoirSouth

Major River Basins in New York

New York’s river basins are divided among several major drainage systems, including the Atlantic Ocean, Great Lakes, and Mississippi River systems. These basins support water supply, transportation, and ecosystems across the state.

  • Hudson River Basin
  • St. Lawrence River Basin
  • Great Lakes Basin
  • Susquehanna River Basin
  • Delaware River Basin
  • Mohawk River Basin
  • Genesee River Basin
  • Oswego River Basin
  • Allegheny River Basin

New York Rivers Facts

StateNew York
Total Rivers & Streams70,000+ miles of streams
Major RiversHudson, St. Lawrence, Mohawk, Genesee
Total Waterway Length75,000+ miles
Main DrainageAtlantic Ocean, Great Lakes, Mississippi System
Longest RiverSt. Lawrence River
Shortest RiverOswego River
Major River Basins9 Primary Basins
Primary OutletAtlantic Ocean
Key UsesTransportation, water supply, recreation, hydropower
Longest River Within StateHudson River
Number of River Basins8–10 Basins
Major ReservoirsAshokan, Pepacton, Great Sacandaga
Primary Water SourceSurface water and reservoirs