Niobrara River

Niobrara River
Niobrara River at the Nebraska Highway 7 crossing
Map of the Niobrara River (light blue)
EtymologyPonca, Ní Ubthátha khe, translating to "water spread-out horizontal-the"
Native nameNí Ubthátha khe (Omaha–Ponca)
Location
CountryUnited States
StateWyoming, Nebraska
CitiesNiobrara, Nebraska, Anncar, Nebraska, Valentine, Nebraska, Agate, Nebraska, Van Tassell, Wyoming, Lusk, Wyoming
Physical characteristics
Source 
  locationNiobrara County, near Manville, Wyoming
  coordinates42°49′15″N 104°38′50″W / 42.82083°N 104.64722°W / 42.82083; -104.64722
  elevation5,500 ft (1,700 m)
MouthMissouri River
  location
Knox County, near Niobrara, Nebraska
  coordinates
42°45′58″N 98°02′50″W / 42.76611°N 98.04722°W / 42.76611; -98.04722
  elevation
1,211 ft (369 m)
Length568 mi (914 km)
Basin size11,580 sq mi (30,000 km2)
Discharge 
  locationVerdel, NE
  average1,718 cu ft/s (48.6 m3/s)
  minimum102 cu ft/s (2.9 m3/s)
  maximum39,100 cu ft/s (1,110 m3/s)
Basin features
Tributaries 
  leftRickman Creek, Beeman Creek, Wyman Creek, Tarbell Creek, Big Anne Creek, Simpson Creek, Keya Paha River
  rightSnake River, Fairfield Creek, Plum Creek, Dutch Creek, Long Pine Creek, Elk Creek, Coon Creek, Laughing Water Creek, Rock Creek, Willow Creek, Oak Creek, Ash Creek, Otter Creek, Clay Creek, Beaver Creek, Big Sandy Creek, Little Sandy Creek, Brush Creek, Turkey Creek, Eagle Creek, Redbird Creek, Louse Creek, Sand Creek, Red Otter Creek, Steel Creek, Pishel Creek, Soldier Creek, Schindler Creek, Verdigre Creek, Bingham Creek, Burgess Creek
DesignatedMay 24, 1991

The Niobrara River (/ˌn.əˈbrærə/; Omaha–Ponca: Ní Ubthátha khe, pronounced [nĩꜜ ubɫᶞaꜜɫᶞa kʰe], literally "water spread-out horizontal-the" or "The Wide-Spreading Water") is a tributary of the Missouri River, approximately 568 miles (914 km) long, running through the U.S. states of Wyoming and Nebraska. The river drains one of the most arid sections of the Great Plains, and has a low flow for a river of its length. The Niobrara's watershed includes the northern tier of Nebraska Sandhills, a small south-central section of South Dakota, as well as a small area of eastern Wyoming.