Difference between revisions of "Tributary"
(Created page with 'File:lighterstill.jpgright|frame *[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_century 14th Century] ==Definitions== *1: a ruler or state that pays [[tribut...') |
m (Text replacement - "http://" to "https://") |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:Tributary.jpg|right|frame]] | [[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:Tributary.jpg|right|frame]] | ||
| − | *[ | + | *[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_century 14th Century] |
==Definitions== | ==Definitions== | ||
*1: a ruler or [[state]] that pays [[tribute]] to a [[conqueror]] | *1: a ruler or [[state]] that pays [[tribute]] to a [[conqueror]] | ||
*2: a [[stream]] feeding a [[River|larger stream]] or a [[lake]] | *2: a [[stream]] feeding a [[River|larger stream]] or a [[lake]] | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| − | A '''tributary''' or affluent is a stream or [[river]] that [[flows]] into a main stem (or parent) [[river]] or a [[lake]]. A tributary does not flow directly into a [[sea]] or [[ocean]]. Tributaries and the mainstem river serve to drain the surrounding [ | + | A '''tributary''' or affluent is a stream or [[river]] that [[flows]] into a main stem (or parent) [[river]] or a [[lake]]. A tributary does not flow directly into a [[sea]] or [[ocean]]. Tributaries and the mainstem river serve to drain the surrounding [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drainage_basin drainage basin] of its surface water and groundwater by leading the water out into an ocean or sea. |
| − | A [ | + | A [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confluence confluence], where two or more bodies of [[water]] meet [[together]], usually refers to the joining of tributaries. |
| − | [[Reciprocal]] to a tributary is a [ | + | [[Reciprocal]] to a tributary is a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distributary distributary], a river or stream that branches off from and [[flows]] away from the main stream. Distributaries are most often found in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_delta river deltas]. |
'Right tributary' and 'left tributary' (or 'right-bank tributary' and 'left-bank tributary') are [[terms]] stating the orientation of the tributary [[relative]] to the [[flow]] of the mainstem river. These terms are defined from the [[perspective]] of looking downstream (in the [[direction]] the water current of the main stem is going). | 'Right tributary' and 'left tributary' (or 'right-bank tributary' and 'left-bank tributary') are [[terms]] stating the orientation of the tributary [[relative]] to the [[flow]] of the mainstem river. These terms are defined from the [[perspective]] of looking downstream (in the [[direction]] the water current of the main stem is going). | ||
| − | Where tributaries have the same name as the [[river]] into which they feed, they are called '''forks'''. These are typically designated by compass direction. For example, the [ | + | Where tributaries have the same name as the [[river]] into which they feed, they are called '''forks'''. These are typically designated by compass direction. For example, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_River American River] receives [[flow]] from its north, middle, and south forks. |
| − | Forks are sometimes designated as right or left. Here, the "handedness" is from the [[point of view]] of an [[observer]] facing upstream. For instance, [ | + | Forks are sometimes designated as right or left. Here, the "handedness" is from the [[point of view]] of an [[observer]] facing upstream. For instance, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steer_Creek_(West_Virginia) Steer Creek] has a left tributary which is called Right Fork Steer Creek. |
| − | Tributaries are sometimes listed starting with those nearest to the [ | + | Tributaries are sometimes listed starting with those nearest to the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_(river_or_stream) source of the river] and ending with those to those nearest to the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_delta mouth of the river]. The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strahler_Stream_Order Strahler Stream Order] examines the arrangement of tributaries in a [[hierarchy]] of first, second, third, and higher orders, with the first order tributary being typically the least in size. For example, a second order tributary would be the result of two or more first order tributaries combining to form the second order tributary. |
| − | Another [[method]] is to list tributaries from mouth to source, in the form of a tree structure, stored as a [ | + | Another [[method]] is to list tributaries from mouth to source, in the form of a tree structure, stored as a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_(data_structure) tree data structure]. |
[[Category: Earth Science]] | [[Category: Earth Science]] | ||
Latest revision as of 02:42, 13 December 2020
Definitions
Description
A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a main stem (or parent) river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean. Tributaries and the mainstem river serve to drain the surrounding drainage basin of its surface water and groundwater by leading the water out into an ocean or sea.
A confluence, where two or more bodies of water meet together, usually refers to the joining of tributaries.
Reciprocal to a tributary is a distributary, a river or stream that branches off from and flows away from the main stream. Distributaries are most often found in river deltas.
'Right tributary' and 'left tributary' (or 'right-bank tributary' and 'left-bank tributary') are terms stating the orientation of the tributary relative to the flow of the mainstem river. These terms are defined from the perspective of looking downstream (in the direction the water current of the main stem is going).
Where tributaries have the same name as the river into which they feed, they are called forks. These are typically designated by compass direction. For example, the American River receives flow from its north, middle, and south forks.
Forks are sometimes designated as right or left. Here, the "handedness" is from the point of view of an observer facing upstream. For instance, Steer Creek has a left tributary which is called Right Fork Steer Creek.
Tributaries are sometimes listed starting with those nearest to the source of the river and ending with those to those nearest to the mouth of the river. The Strahler Stream Order examines the arrangement of tributaries in a hierarchy of first, second, third, and higher orders, with the first order tributary being typically the least in size. For example, a second order tributary would be the result of two or more first order tributaries combining to form the second order tributary.
Another method is to list tributaries from mouth to source, in the form of a tree structure, stored as a tree data structure.
