The Canadian River is the longest tributary of the Arkansas River, which is part of the Mississippi River watershed. The Canadian River flows into the Arkansas in eastern Oklahoma after first flowing across nearly the entire state and enters Oklahoma from the Texas northern panhandle. Like many of the east flowing tributaries, (both major and minor) of the Mississippi River, the source of the Canadian River is in the Rocky Mountains (37.0195004, -105.0765470), with the Canadian coming down from the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the southern most range of the Rockies.

Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Colorado

Rita Blanca

Little River

North Canadian River

Deep Fork River (35.359444, -95.610833)

Lightning Creek (35.450278, -97.508611)

Beaver River (36.588924, -99.501779)

Palo Duro Creek (36.65609, -100.96913)

Coldwater Creek (36.65974, -101.12127)

Wolf Creek (36.588924, -99.501779)

Cimarron River

Mora River

Conchas

Ute Creek

Records show that in 1601, Juan de Oñate, who was the Spanish Governor of New Mexico at that time, was the first European to explore the Canadian River. He followed the river from its origin to the western plains of what is now Oklahoma and soon after, Spanish traders and hunters were actively working in this area.

French voyageurs were active along the lower Canadian. In 1715, Bénard de la Harpe explored between the mouth of the river and the Kiamichi Mountains to the west at 34.596111, -94.559722, but still in southeastern Oklahoma. Then, in 1740, Pierre and Paul Mallet followed the entire length of the river, as did another expedition led by Fabry de la Bruyère in 1741. The Louisiana Purchase in 1803 resulted in all of the land east of the New Mexico border being acquired by the United States.

The Canadian River enters Texas at coordinates 35.3951180, -103.0421818 from New Mexico, which is the western side of the northern Texas panhandle. From there, it flows north of Amarillo, Texas and is then impounded in Lake Meredith, formed by the Sanford Dam at Sanford, Texas. Also, Lake Meredith forms along side of Fritch, Texas. The dam was completed in 1964 to be a source of drinking water for the Panhandle towns. However, due to the ongoing drought and continued drop in the water level in the reservoir, the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority, announce a cessation of water supply to these towns. In August 2013, Lake Meredith reached its all-time low at 26 feet (8 meters). The water level has risen about fifty feet since the record low, and as of June of 2025, the level was recorded at 73 feet (22 meters) deep. Popular activities include beach bathing, camping, fishing, boating and other water activities.