Article
Article
River
Article By:
Baker, Victor R. Department of Geosciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona.
Marcus, W. Andrew Department of Geography, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon.
Last reviewed:December 2019
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.591000
A natural, freshwater surface stream that has considerable volume compared with its smaller tributaries. The tributaries are known as brooks, creeks, branches, or forks. Rivers are usually the main stems and larger tributaries of the drainage systems that convey surface runoff from the land. Rivers flow from headwater areas of small tributaries to their mouths, where they may discharge into the ocean, a major lake, or a desert basin.
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