River Sources, Headwaters & Glacial Origins
A comprehensive index of documented river origins, including high-altitude glacial origins, mountain springs, and headwater confluences with coordinates and elevations.
| River | Source Location / Name | Elevation | Coordinates | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon River | Nevado Mismi / Río Apurímac (Arequipa Region, Peru) | 5,179 m (16,991 ft) | -15.5167°, -71.7167° | View → |
| Colorado River | La Poudre Pass, Rocky Mountains (Colorado, USA) | 3,101 m (10,174 ft) | 40.4789°, -105.8197° | View → |
| Congo River | Chambeshi River / Lake Bangweulu headstreams (Zambia) | 1,760 m (5,774 ft) | -11.9833°, 31.4000° | View → |
| Danube River | Confluence of Breg & Brigach (Donaueschingen, Germany) | 678 m (2,224 ft) | 47.9500°, 8.5000° | View → |
| Ganges River | Gangotri Glacier / Gaumukh (Uttarakhand, India) | 4,100 m (13,451 ft) | 30.9167°, 79.0833° | View → |
| Indus River | Sênggê Zangbo Spring, Tibetan Plateau | 5,300 m (17,388 ft) | 31.2833°, 81.9833° | View → |
| Mississippi River | Lake Itasca (Clearwater County, Minnesota, USA) | 450 m (1,476 ft) | 47.2397°, -95.2075° | View → |
| Murray River | Pilot Wilderness, Australian Alps (New South Wales) | 1,430 m (4,692 ft) | -36.7833°, 148.1667° | View → |
| Nile River | Lake Victoria outlet / Ruvyironza River (Burundi/Uganda) | 1,134 m (3,720 ft) | -0.4167°, 33.1667° | View → |
| Rhine River | Tomasee, Oberalp Pass (Graubünden, Switzerland) | 2,345 m (7,694 ft) | 46.6328°, 8.6658° | View → |
| Volga River | Volgoverkhovye Spring, Valdai Hills (Tver Oblast, Russia) | 225 m (738 ft) | 57.2514°, 32.4681° | View → |
| Yangtze River | Geladandong Peak, Tanggula Mountains (Qinghai, China) | 5,042 m (16,542 ft) | 33.4674°, 91.1764° | View → |
| Zambezi River | Mwinilunga Dambo Swamps (Zambia) | 1,500 m (4,921 ft) | -11.3667°, 24.3167° | View → |