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| [[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:Tributary.jpg|right|frame]] | | [[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:Tributary.jpg|right|frame]] |
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− | *[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_century 14th Century] | + | *[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 [http://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 '''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. |
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− | A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confluence confluence], where two or more bodies of [[water]] meet [[together]], usually refers to the joining of tributaries. | + | A [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confluence confluence], where two or more bodies of [[water]] meet [[together]], usually refers to the joining of tributaries. |
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− | [[Reciprocal]] to a tributary is a [http://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 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_delta river deltas]. | + | [[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]. |
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| '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). |
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− | 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 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_River American River] receives [[flow]] from its north, middle, and south forks. | + | 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. |
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− | Forks are sometimes designated as right or left. Here, the "handedness" is from the [[point of view]] of an [[observer]] facing upstream. For instance, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steer_Creek_(West_Virginia) Steer Creek] has a left tributary which is called Right Fork Steer Creek. | + | 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. |
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− | Tributaries are sometimes listed starting with those nearest to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_(river_or_stream) source of the river] and ending with those to those nearest to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_delta mouth of the river]. The [http://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. | + | 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. |
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− | Another [[method]] is to list tributaries from mouth to source, in the form of a tree structure, stored as a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_(data_structure) tree data structure]. | + | 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]. |
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| [[Category: Earth Science]] | | [[Category: Earth Science]] |