River Definitions

Question 1

River

Answer 1

A body of water flowing in a confined channel

Question 2

Source

Answer 2

The place from which a river begins

Question 3

Mouth

Answer 3

The area where the river ends. It is usually the area where it flows into the sea or lake

Question 4

Watershed/ Divide

Answer 4

The highland area which separates the area drained by one river from that of another

Question 4

Watershed/ Divide

Answer 4

The highland area which separates the area drained by one river from that of another

Question 5

Tributary

Answer 5

A river which joins a larger river, increasing the volume of water

Question 6

Drainage Basin

Answer 6

All the area drained by a river and its tributaries.

Question 7

Confluence

Answer 7

The place where a river flows into another river

Question 8

River valley

Answer 8

The long depression in which the river flows. It includes the channel sides, floor, and surrounding area

Question 9

River channel

Answer 9

This is the actual confined area where the water is flowing

Question 10

Load

Answer 10

All the material carried by the river

Question 11

The hydrological cycle

Answer 11

The hydrological cycle is the unending circulation of water from the sea and land to the atmosphere and back again

Question 12

Drainage Pattern

Answer 12

The arrangement of a river and its tributaries

Question 13

Radical drainage

Answer 13

The rivers and their tributaries flow outward from a central highland area in all directions. E.g La Soufrière in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Nevis peak

Question 14

Trellis Drainage

Answer 14

The tributaries of the main river join it at right angles. This pattern has the appearance of a rectangular grid. It is most common in areas of alternate bands of hard and soft rock. E.g the northern range in Trinidad

Question 15

Dendritic Drainage

Answer 15

A tree-like pattern where the main river forms the “trunk” and the tributaries form the branches. E.g. Bruce Vale river, Barbados and Essequibo in Guyana