Bodies of Water in
the United States
Why are waterways important
to United States history?
Settlement
Transportation
Trade
Oceans

Atlantic and Pacific
Rivers
•Mississippi
•Colorado
•Missouri
•Rio Grande
•Ohio
•St. Lawrence
•Columbia
Lakes
The Great Lakes
Sho Me–Superior, Huron, Ontario, Michigan, and Erie
HOMES-Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior
Gulf

Gulf of Mexico

The location of the United States, with its Atlantic
and Pacific coasts, provide access to other areas
of the world.

The Atlantic Ocean served as a
highway for explorers.
River Descriptions

The Ohio River was the “gateway to the west”.
Great Lakes

Inland Port cities grew along the
Great Lakes

The Mississippi and Missouri River
were used to transport farm and
industrial products.

The Columbia River was explored by
Lewis and Clark.

The Colorado River was explored by
the Spanish.

The Rio Grande forms the border with
Mexico.

The Pacific Ocean was an early
exploration destination.

The Gulf of Mexico provided the
French and Spanish exploration routes
to Mexico and parts of America.

The Gulf of Mexico provided the
Spanish and French with exploration
routes to Mexico and other parts of the
world.
St. Lawrence

The St. Lawrence river forms the
northeastern border with Canada and
connects the Great Lakes to the
Atlantic Ocean