Which river flows through the Grand Canyon in the United States?

The Colorado River flows through the Grand Canyon in the United States.

The river rises in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and travels about 2,330 kilometres before reaching the Gulf of California. Over millions of years, its water and sediment helped carve the Grand Canyon through the Colorado Plateau. The canyon’s exposed rocks record nearly two billion years of geological history.

The river passes through seven U.S. states and Mexico. Major reservoirs on its course include Lake Powell and Lake Mead, created by Glen Canyon Dam and Hoover Dam. These projects supply water and hydroelectric power to a large, arid region.

The Colorado River is not the longest river in the United States, but it is one of the country’s most important rivers for water management. Heavy demand, prolonged drought and climate change have reduced flows reaching Mexico, creating ongoing disputes over allocation and conservation.