The Colorado River: North America's Artery of the Southwest

The Colorado River flows entirely within North America, carving a 2,330 km (1,450 mi) course through the western United States and into Mexico.

States It Traverses

The river passes through or borders seven U.S. states:

• Colorado (headwaters in the Rocky Mountains)
• Utah
• Arizona (including the Grand Canyon)
• Nevada
• California
• New Mexico
• Wyoming

Key Features

• Major reservoirs: Lake Mead, Lake Powell
• Iconic canyons: Grand Canyon, Glen Canyon, Cataract Canyon
• Terminus: Historically the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), though diversions often leave the delta dry.

Vital Resource

The Colorado provides water for 40 million people, irrigates 5.5 million acres of farmland, and generates hydroelectric power. Its management is governed by the 1922 Colorado River Compact and subsequent agreements—a testament to its continental significance.