On the basis of the origin the drainage can be divided in to two parts:

(a) The Himalayan drainage system

(b) The Peninsular drainage system.

Tributary: A stream or river that flows into a larger river. e.g. Yamuna

Delta: A triangular shaped land at the mouth of a river formed from the deposition of silt, sand and small rocks that flow downstream in the river. eg. Ganga delta.

Estuary: A partially enclosed coastal body of water where the salty tidal water mixes with the fresh water of the river. eg. Narmada river makes an estuary.

IMPORTANT DRAINAGE PATTERNS:

Drainage pattern a pattern created by stream erosion over time that reveals characteristics of the kind of rocks and geologic structures in a landscape region drained by streams.

Dendritic patterns, which are by far the most common, develop in areas where the rock (or unconsolidated material) beneath the stream has no particular fabric or structure and can be eroded equally easily in all directions

Trellis drainage patterns typically develop where sedimentary rocks have been folded or tilted and then eroded to varying degrees depending on their strength.

Rectangular patterns develop in areas that have very little topography and a system of bedding planes, fractures, or faults that form a rectangular network.

Parallel drainage system is a pattern of rivers caused by steep slopes with some relief. Because of the steep slopes,the streams are swift and straight, with very few tributaries, and all flow in the same direction. Parallel drainage patterns form where there is a pronounced slope to the surface.

Radial drainage system, the streams radiate outwards from a central high point. Volcanoes usually display excellent radial drainage.

The centripetal drainage system is similar to the radial drainage system, with the only exception that radial drainage flows out versus centripetal drainage flows in.

DRAINAGE PATTERNS | GS ARTICLES

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