What is a tributary of the river? Definition, description, features

The tributary of the river is a water stream, the mouth of which is a larger, significant watercourse, a 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 tributary is the cost of water, brought by the watercourse to the lake, pond and other reservoirs.

River tributary: a brief description

So, from the above, it follows that the tributary is the complement of the main river. It differs from the main water flow, primarily by the amount of water. In the tributary this indicator is much smaller than the river in which it falls. There are also other criteria for differences. This is the water temperature, its color index, turbidity (transparency) and chemical composition. As for the nature of the water flow, it can also vary. For example, the tributary is a mountain river, and the main stream flows along the plain, having a more calm current. This suggests another conclusion: the structure of the coastline can also differ significantly. And, of course, the length. This indicator of the main water flow is always greater, since it has tributaries.

It must be remembered that a river with all tributaries is called a river system. The number of watercourses in the water 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 inflow of the river takes its origin from springs, bogs, mountains, glaciers. Its source is the place where the channel of the stable current begins. The tributary is a river in which a constant stream of natural water is circulating. It flows along an extensive channel from the beginning of the source to the mouth. The flow of tributaries will determine the relative slope of the terrain, as a rule, it is exclusively downward.

Classification of tributaries

Part of the river system is the inflow. It includes both the main river and the flowing watercourses. There is such a thing as right and left tributaries. From the title it becomes clear that the first fall into the main channel from the right side in the direction of the current, and the latter, respectively, with the left.

Near the main river, first-order ramifications are observed. These are the streams that flow directly into it. They are also called the main tributaries of the river. Accordingly, second-order flows flow into first-order tributaries, etc. Due to this classification, large rivers and small streams belong to one river system.

On the planet Earth there are such water streams that have about 20 orders of tributaries. There is also another classification: from minor to larger ones.

Characteristics of tributaries

Each tributary, like the main river, has its own parameters and characteristics:

• The size of the watercourse;
• The catchment area;
• Annual runoff of water;
• Density of the river network;
• Fall and tilt of the river.

On the map of Ukraine, for example, about 71 thousand rivers are registered. The main sources of water supply for many regions remain the main watercourse and the inflow 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.