Minnesota may be known for its more than 10,000 lakes, but it also has thousands of rivers, streams, and creeks. These treasured waters are not only powerful symbols of Minnesota, but they also provide drinking water, recreational and tourism opportunities, wildlife habitat, water for agriculture, and industrial uses, and much more.

Minnesota has approximately 91,944 miles of river, of which 226 miles are designated as wild and scenic—approximately 2/10ths of 1% of the state’s river miles.