Colorado River Map

The Colorado River, Arkansas River, Rio Grande and South Platte River are a few rivers that make Colorado State rich and fertile. This landlocked US State with a total land area of 103,730 sq. miles is also famous for its lakes and other water bodies. Originally named Rio Colorado, the Colorado River drains mainly from Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. While there are rapid and calm sections to the river, the depth also varies from 6 ft. to 90 ft., with 20 ft. being the average.

The fifth longest river of North America, the Rio Grande, has its origin in the southern Rocky Mountains at the southwestern part of Colorado. Along it meandering journey of 2,830 km (1,760 miles), the Rio Grande helps in the irrigation of 2 million acres of farmland both in US and Mexico. Pecos, Chama, Puerco and Devils Rivers are Rio Grande's principal tributaries.

Arkansas River is a major tributary of the Mississippi River. It originates from the Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains close to Leadville (Central Colorado).

One of the two main branches of Platte river, South Platte River originates from Mosquito Range (Central Colorado). The main tributaries of South Platte river are St. Vrain, Clear Creek, and Boulder Creek, to name a few.

Adjacent to each river basin in the state, there are several lakes that make excellent destinations for fishing and outdoor sightseeing. Some of the major lakes in Colorado are Clear, Dowdy, North, Bear, and Blue Lake.