The Shortest Rivers in the World – Tiny Streams with Big Stories

Discover the world’s shortest rivers—from Croatia’s mysterious Ombla to the icy Reprua and Montana’s famous Roe River. These tiny watercourses may be short, but they’re rich in beauty, history, and geological wonder.

Not all rivers carve mighty canyons or cross vast landscapes. Some begin—and end—in the blink of an eye. The shortest rivers in the world are proof that length isn’t everything. These tiny streams may be short in distance, but they often boast fascinating histories, mythologies, and even Guinness World Records.

From glacier-fed trickles in the Arctic to underground springs in coastal towns, let’s explore the smallest giants in the world of flowing water.

Curious about the other extreme? Explore the longest rivers on Earth too.

🇮🇩 Tamborasi River – Sulawesi, Indonesia

Length: ~20 meters
Nestled in lush greenery, this river is just a few steps long—but it flows with full tropical beauty into the Flores Sea. Locals consider it a sacred and serene site, perfect for reflection. Its water is clear, cool, and swift, like a silver ribbon unraveling into the ocean.

🇳🇴 Kovasselva River – Hitra Island, Norway

Length: ~22 meters
A little-known gem in the Nordic wilds, Kovasselva begins at Lake Kovassvatnet and empties almost immediately into the sea. You’ll miss it if you blink—but its glacial source and rugged setting make it unforgettable.

🇬🇪 Reprua River – Abkhazia, Georgia

Length: ~18 meters
This frigid, fast-flowing river emerges from the depths of the Krubera Cave—the deepest known cave on Earth—and runs straight into the Black Sea. It’s not just short, it’s intense, with icy temperatures and a dramatic underground origin.

🇭🇷 Ombla River – Dubrovnik, Croatia

Length: ~30 meters
Though it appears as a short surface river, Ombla is the visible tip of a vast underground karst system. It gushes out near Dubrovnik and is a vital water source for the city. Don’t let the length fool you—hydrologically, it stretches for dozens of kilometers below ground.

🇸🇮 Jezernica River – Idrija, Slovenia

Length: ~55 meters
One of Europe’s shortest and strongest surface rivers, Jezernica bursts from the mysterious Wild Lake (Divje Jezero) and rushes into the Idrijca River. Despite its tiny surface flow, its discharge volume can exceed 60 cubic meters per second.

🇺🇸 Roe River – Montana, USA

Length: ~61 meters
Once officially the shortest river in the world according to Guinness, the Roe flows from Giant Springs into the Missouri River. Locals in Great Falls are proud of their quirky claim to fame, and the crystal-clear waters are a popular spot for visitors.

🇩🇴 Rio Los Patos – Dominican Republic

Length: ~61 meters
This Caribbean river is as brief as it is beautiful. It flows from spring to sea in mere seconds, with ducks (patos) often seen paddling its waters—hence the name. It’s also a popular beach and ecotourism stop.

🇺🇸 D River – Oregon, USA

Length: ~36 to 130 meters (depending on tides)
This river flows between Devil’s Lake and the Pacific Ocean. Its tidal nature has led to changes in length over time, sparking a humorous rivalry with the Roe River for the Guinness title. Today, it’s famous for kite festivals and coastal charm.

🇧🇷 Azuis River – Aurora do Tocantins, Brazil

Length: ~147 meters
Despite being longer than others on this list, the Azuis River dazzles with its clarity and color—an aquamarine ribbon that flows from a limestone spring. It’s a national natural monument and considered Brazil’s shortest river.

🇮🇹 Aril River – Cassone, Italy

Length: ~175 meters
Flowing through a picturesque village near Lake Garda, the Aril River features charming bridges and a small waterfall. Though short, it carries local trout and flows with Italian character and grace.

🌊 So What Makes a River… a River?

This debate is part of why Guinness eventually retired the “shortest river” category. Is it the continuous flow? The geological source? The cultural recognition? Each of these short rivers is, without doubt, a body of flowing water connecting a source to a mouth—and sparking wonder. What is the difference between a river and a forest stream? What is a river, in fact?

💡 Fun Fact:

Some of these rivers, like Ombla and Azuis, are fed by enormous underground cave systems. The visible part may be short, but their true hydrological journeys stretch deep and wide beneath the surface.

Final Thought:

Rivers don’t need to be long to be legendary. In the quiet bubble of a spring or a blink-and-you-miss-it stream, there’s a story of geology, life, and wonder waiting to be told.