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Where does the Rhine River begin?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Physical map of Western and Central Europe highlighting the drainage basins and networks of the Rhine, Rhone, and Seine rivers. The map shows river courses, major tributaries, canals, elevation changes with color shading, international boundaries, and key cities such as Paris, Lyon, Basel, and Rotterdam. A locator inset in the upper left corner places the main map within Europe.
Rhine River

The Rhine River originates in the Swiss Alps from two primary headstreams:12

  • Vorderrhein: This stream emerges from Lake Toma, located at an elevation of 7,690 feet (2,344 metres) near the Oberalp Pass.1
  • Hinterrhein: This stream rises approximately five miles west of the San Bernardino Pass, near the border between Switzerland and Italy.1

These two headstreams flow eastward and converge at Reichenau, Switzerland, to form the main course of the river.13