List of longest rivers of Canada

In the case of some rivers such as the Columbia, the length listed in the table below is solely that of the main stem.

In the case of others such as the Mackenzie, it is the combined lengths of the main stem and one or more upstream tributaries, as noted.

Excluded from the list are rivers such as the Dauphin, a short connecting link between lakes Manitoba and Winnipeg, with main stems of 100 km (62 mi) or less.

[1] The drainage basins of these nine rivers extend into both countries; in addition, the drainage basins of six others—the Fraser, Assiniboine, South Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan, Nelson, and Winnipeg—extend into the United States even though their main stems flow entirely within Canada.

"It seems", she said, "that the wisest course is to regard data tables such as the present one as showing the general ranks of rivers, and not to place too much importance on minor (10–20%) differences in figures.

Map showing the location of the rivers on the list
Rivers on this list shown on a map of Canada
The Finlay River flows into the Peace River, which flows into the Slave River and hence into the Great Slave Lake. The Mackenzie River main stem flows generally northwest from the Great Slave Lake to the Beaufort Sea.
The Mackenzie River is the longest stream in Canada if measured from its mouth on the Beaufort Sea to the headwaters of the Finlay River , a major upstream tributary. The main stem , a much shorter segment of the Mackenzie, is marked in dark blue.
A frozen river passes through flat country. Short trees grow on the riverbanks; tall mountains are in the far distance.
Sunset over a large river flowing through mountains.
A large ship travels along a large river bordered by vegetation on one bank and urban development on the other.
Native people sit in canoes along the shore of a very wide flat river.
White birds with wide orange beaks swim near a rocky ledge of a swift wide river.
A large river flows through a wooded gorge.
A wide river flows under a bridge.
Brilliant sunset over a wide river flowing through woods
A medium-sized river rushes through rapids in the woods.
The surface of a wide river approaching a city is almost completely frozen.
Men in canoes descend wild rapids in a river canyon.
A wide river winds by a fenced overlook opposite a forest. The setting sun illuminates a partly cloudy sky.
A dock extends from the shore of an extremely wide river.
A river flows by a cliff and through a snow-covered forest.
A wide flat river flows along a rocky shore toward a mountain range in the far distance.
A muddy river floods a wooded urban area with boat docks and riverside seating.
A muddy river floods a wooded urban area with boat docks and riverside seating.
A small river winds through a rocky, grass-covered plateau. Hills rise in the distance.
Large trucks, widely spaced, travel single-file across a frozen river.
A wide river flows slowly through a forest of short, widely spaced evergreen trees.
Sunset over a river winding through thick evergreen forests.
A small river flows through a prairie landscape; brown grasses and leafless trees line the banks.
Canoes and tents rest on a sandy spit along a river.
Men in canoes approach a tent encampment along a wide river.
A river flows through forested hills.
A medium-sized river plunges down rapids surrounded by forests.
A frozen river winds through a snowy forest.
A suspension bridge crosses a wide river.
A wide river curves by a rocky shore and across a flat plain.
A two-part dam, connected in the middle by an island, blocks a large river downstream of a railroad bridge.
A medium-sized river flows in bright sunlight through a forest.
A medium-sized river flows in bright sunlight through a forest.
A very wide river flows between low lines of hills.
A flooding river has inundated roads, trees, and an elegant building.
A wide river flows through hills. A sign in the foreground says "Stewart River".
A big river winds across a plain near a bluff.
A wide river winds through a forest and by a town.