White River (Missouri River tributary)

The White River is a tributary of the Missouri River, located in the states of Nebraska and South Dakota in the United States. It is approximately 538 miles (866 km) long. The river's name comes from the light-colored sediment it carries, primarily eroded from the White River Badlands.

The river rises in the northwestern corner of Nebraska, in the Pine Ridge region. It flows generally eastward across the South Dakota border, through the Badlands National Park, and then back into Nebraska. The White River joins the Missouri River near Chamberlain, South Dakota.

The White River's drainage basin is sparsely populated and largely characterized by arid and semi-arid landscapes. Its flow is highly variable, subject to flash floods and periods of very low water levels, reflecting the region's climate and soil composition. The river carries a significant amount of silt and sediment, contributing to the turbidity of the Missouri River downstream from their confluence.

The river is not generally navigable. Its primary uses are for irrigation and livestock watering in the surrounding agricultural areas. It also provides habitat for various fish and wildlife species adapted to the fluctuating water conditions.