North Canadian River
Encyclopedia
Canadian River
The Canadian River is the longest tributary of the Arkansas River. It is about long, starting in Colorado and traveling through New Mexico, the Texas Panhandle, and most of Oklahoma....
, approximately 440 miles (708.1 km) long, that flows through New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
and Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
The North Canadian River rises just east of Des Moines, New Mexico
Des Moines, New Mexico
Des Moines is a village in Union County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 177 at the 2000 census. It is located northeast of Sierra Grande, a large shield volcano.-Geography:Des Moines is located at ....
in Union County, New Mexico
Union County, New Mexico
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*81.7% White*1.8% Black*2.0% Native American*0.5% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*2.3% Two or more races*11.7% Other races*39.7% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
; it is known as Corrumpa Creek. From here and throughout the Oklahoma Panhandle, it normally does not have much standing water. From there it flows eastwardly through the Oklahoma Panhandle
Oklahoma Panhandle
The Oklahoma Panhandle is the extreme western region of the state of Oklahoma, comprising Cimarron County, Texas County, and Beaver County. Its name comes from the similarity of shape to the handle of a cooking pan....
, where it is known as the Beaver River. The Beaver River is dammed near Hardesty as Optima Dam. Originally approved in the 1930s, it was envisioned to provide drinking water to area communities, but construction did not occur until the 1960s. The Coldwater Creek empties into the Beaver River at Optima Dam. It flows southeastward into the Texas Panhandle
Texas Panhandle
The Texas Panhandle is a region of the U.S. state of Texas consisting of the northernmost 26 counties in the state. The panhandle is a rectangular area bordered by New Mexico to the west and Oklahoma to the north and east...
into Sherman County, Texas for six miles, turning northeast and back into the Oklahoma Panhandle
Oklahoma Panhandle
The Oklahoma Panhandle is the extreme western region of the state of Oklahoma, comprising Cimarron County, Texas County, and Beaver County. Its name comes from the similarity of shape to the handle of a cooking pan....
before continuing on to the east. It enters Northwest Oklahoma and turns southeast and takes the name North Canadian River where it is joined by Wolf Creek
Wolf Creek (Oklahoma)
-References:**USGS Hydrologic Unit Map - State of Texas...
just south of the town of Fort Supply, Oklahoma
Fort Supply, Oklahoma
Fort Supply is a town in Woodward County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 330 at the 2010 census.-History:Fort Supply, is a town established one mile West of Camp Supply, a United States Army post established on November 18, 1868 as a "Camp of Supply" for the winter campaign against the...
. It is dammed at Canton, Oklahoma
Canton, Oklahoma
Canton is a town in Blaine County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 625 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Canton is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
in Blaine County
Blaine County, Oklahoma
Blaine County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population is 11,976. Its county seat is Watonga. Blaine County is the birthplace of voice actor Clarence Nash, the voice of Donald Duck....
where it forms Canton Lake
Canton Lake
Canton Lake is a lake in Blaine and Dewey counties in Oklahoma, near Longdale and Canton. It's about an hour away from Enid.The lake is home to several species of fish including largemouth bass, white bass, channel catfish, crappie and walleye. Canton has become the primary source of walleye eggs...
. It flows past Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City is the capital and the largest city in the state of Oklahoma. The county seat of Oklahoma County, the city ranks 31st among United States cities in population. The city's population, from the 2010 census, was 579,999, with a metro-area population of 1,252,987 . In 2010, the Oklahoma...
708 km, joining the Canadian River
Canadian River
The Canadian River is the longest tributary of the Arkansas River. It is about long, starting in Colorado and traveling through New Mexico, the Texas Panhandle, and most of Oklahoma....
in McIntosh County
McIntosh County, Oklahoma
McIntosh County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population was 19,456. Its county seat is Eufaula.-Geography:...
at Eufaula Lake
Eufaula Lake
Eufaula Lake is a reservoir in Oklahoma. It is located on the Canadian River, upstream from its confluence with the Arkansas River and near the town of Eufaula. It is the largest lake in the state of Oklahoma with and of shoreline....
.
Oklahoma River
A seven-mile portion of the river flowing through Oklahoma CityOklahoma city
Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.Oklahoma City may also refer to:*Oklahoma City metropolitan area*Downtown Oklahoma City*Uptown Oklahoma City*Oklahoma City bombing*Oklahoma City National Memorial...
was renamed the Oklahoma River in 2004. This portion has several locks that have created a series of small lakes in which rowing, kayaking, and canoeing regattas take place (hosted by the Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation, Chesapeake Boat House, and Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City University, often referred to as OCU, is a coeducational, urban, private university historically affiliated with the United Methodist Church...
). Regatta activities include: 2.5 mile head races, 2000 meter sprints, and 500 meter sprints. It is the only location in the US conducting officially-sanctioned night sprints under lights.
The Oklahoma River was profiled in The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
on April 22, 2008.