| Summary: | Fig. 11-Major rivers in North Dakota. The main drainage basins are separated by dotted lines; they include the Missouri River drainage (west and south), Souris River drainage (north central), James River drainage (southeast), Red River-Sheyenne drainage (east), and Devils Lake drainage (northeast). Much of the flow in the Missouri River is derived from melting snow in the headwaters area of western Montana and Wyoming. Except for the Missouri River, Red River, and lower reaches of the Sheyenne River, all streams in the state may be dry during long droughts. Many of the groundwater aquifers in the state haven't been used much. As use increases in an aquifer, water levels decline, and in places, yields also decrease. Even so, some of the aquifers constitute important sources of water, both in quantity and quality, and are capable of supplying many of the large-scale needs of irrigation, municipalities, and industry. Optimum use of the water in these aquifers will be dependent on sound management and conservation practices. Surface Water North Dakota is separated into two major drainage basins by a continental divide that extends southeastward from the northwest corner of the state, through the central and into the southeastern part of the state. The northeastern portion of the state falls generally within the Hudson Bay drainage, whereas the southwestern part is drained by the Missouri River to the Gulf of Mexico. The Missouri River drainage system in North Dakota includes the major sub- basins of the Missouri and James Rivers. The area is characterized by a 538 Chapter 12 Physical Characteristics and Resources of North Dakota
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