A tributary of a river is a stream of water, the mouth of which is a larger, significant watercourse, lake or any other body of water. In geography, there is such a thing as the mainstream. It is to him that the tributaries carry their waters. Let's take a closer look at the definition, consider the methods of classification and features of this part of the river.
Another inflow is the cost of water brought by a watercourse to a lake, reservoir and other reservoirs.
River tributary: a brief description
So, from the above it follows that the tributary is an addition to the main river. It differs from the main water flow primarily in the amount of water. In the tributary, this figure is much less than that of the river into which it flows. There are also other criteria for differences. This is the temperature of the water, its color index, turbidity (transparency) and chemical composition. As for the nature of the water flow, it can also vary. For example, a tributary is a mountain river, and the main channel flows through the plain, having a calmer course. From thisone more conclusion suggests itself: the structure of the coastline can also differ significantly. And, of course, the length. This indicator is always higher for the main water stream, since it has tributaries.
It must be remembered that a river with all its tributaries is called a river system. The number of flowing streams can be completely different. Sometimes it is difficult to determine where the main river is and where its tributaries are. It happens that the size of the latter can be much larger than the main channel.
Where the inflow begins
The tributary of the river takes its beginning from springs, marshes, in the mountains, glaciers. Its source is considered to be the place where exactly the channel of a stable current begins. A tributary is a river in which a constant flow of natural water circulates. It flows along a long channel from the beginning of the source to the mouth. The course of the tributaries will determine the relative slope of the terrain, usually exclusively down.
Classification of tributaries
Part of the river system is the tributary. It includes both the main river and the flowing streams. There is such a thing as right and left tributaries. From the name it becomes clear that the former flow into the main channel from the right side in the direction of the current, and the latter, respectively, from the left.
The main river has branchings of the 1st order. These are the streams that flow directly into it. They are also called the main tributaries of the river. Accordingly, flows of the 2nd order flow into tributaries of the 1st order, etc. Due to this classification, both large rivers andsmall streams.
On the planet Earth there are such water flows that have about 20 orders of tributaries. There is also another classification: from minor to larger.
Characteristic of tributaries
Each tributary, like the main river, has its own parameters and characteristics:
- size of stream;
- drainage area;
- annual water runoff;
- river network density;
- fall and slope of the river.
On the map of Ukraine, for example, about 71 thousand rivers are registered. The main sources of water for many regions remain the main watercourse and tributary of the river, which flows through a certain territory, for which it is of great importance. Such water flows become an integral part of the main system of the natural environment, a source of drinking and industrial water.
