Drainage System and Drainage Pattern

Drainage system and drainage pattern is a gradual process lasting over a long period of time. As a result of which the rivers have been classified. 

1. Drainage System
   1. Consequent Drainage System
   2. In-consequent Drainage System
      1. Antecedent
      2. Superimposed
2. Drainage Pattern
   1. Dendritic Pattern
   2. Parallel Pattern
   3. Trellises Pattern
   4. Rectangular Pattern
   5. Centrifugal or Radial Pattern
   6. Centripetal Pattern
   7. Annular Pattern
   8. Barbed Pattern

1. Drainage System

Drainage system tells about the origin and development of water stream in the long run. The drainage system is divided into two parts.

A. Consequent Drainage System

Rivers that move according to the slope are called trailing rivers. They are also called Naman Jaldhara. These are followed by the development of tributaries, which meet at almost right angles to the trailing river. These tributaries are called subsequent or sub-trailing rivers. These are also called strike streams.

After their development, streams come from both sides to meet them. It meets at right angles and can be in the direction or opposite of the main river. These are called recurrent and alternating rivers respectively.

• follow rivers
• Sub-Trailer or Subsequent rivers
• successor rivers
• alternating rivers

Heredity and Variations

B. In-consequent Drainage System

Such rivers which do not move according to the slope of the land and which have no relation with the drainage system and geological structure, are called non-recurring or non-recurring rivers. They are divided into two parts.

( i ) Antecedent Drainage System

In this system, the drainage system is not affected by the uplift of the structure or the landmass. In this, the river remains on its former path by cutting off the uplift falling in its path. Example – Indus, Sutlej, Brahmaputra etc.

( ii ) Superimposed Drainage System

If the structure of rocks located above in a region is different from the structure of rocks located below it, then it develops. Example – Son, Chambal, Swarnrekha, Banas etc.

In such a situation, the development of the valley first takes place in the upper structure and by the low erosion, the valley is expanded on the lower structure also.

Statue of Equality

2. Drainage Pattern

It is related to the spatial state of the stream which is determined by the geologic composition of the rocks, the glacial history and the climatic conditions. They are divided into several classes which are given below.

A. Dendritic Pattern

If the structure of rocks is the same, then they develop. In this, the main river is like a tree while the tributaries are like branches. Example – Chotanagpur plateau and rivers of South India, Godavari, Krishna etc.

B. Parallel Pattern

They develop in areas with steep slopes, where the main tributaries run along a long distance before meeting each other. Example – Rivers of the upper Ganges plain.

C. Trellises Pattern

Where hard and soft rocks meet together inclined in some direction, they develop there. In this, the main rivers and tributaries meet at Samkod.

D. Rectangular Pattern

Where the joints of rocks are rectangular, they are formed there. Example – In Palamu district of Bihar, Kosi, Sutlej etc.

E. Centrifugal or Radial Pattern

It goes in the areas of dome-shaped mountains and volcanic cones. In this pattern, rivers emerge from the top and flow in all four directions. Example – Parasnath hill, Amarkantak hill.

F. Centripetal Pattern

In this pattern, the rivers flow from the surrounding highlands to the middle lowlands, lakes or the inner ocean. Example – Tibet and Ladakh region, Valley of Kathmandu.

G. Annular Pattern

In this pattern, the rivers flow around the mountains. Example – Kiul river flows encircling the Manihari mountain in Munger.

H. Thorny Pattern

When such tributaries meet in the upper part of the river, whose direction of flow is opposite to that of the main river, then such a pattern is called a thorny pattern. Example – Indus and Brahmaputra rivers form it in their upper part.

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