Stream or Flowing River Patterns

• The combined effects of climate and geology on the catchment topography yield an erosion pattern, which is characterized by a network of streams.
• Some of the frequently observed stream patterns are as follows -

Dendritic River Pattern

• River channel follows the slope of the terrain
• Homogeneous beds of uniform resistance to erosion
• Streams run in all directions without definite preference to any one particular region
• Example → Indo – Gangetic Plains

Rectangular River Pattern

• Regions that have undergone faulting
• Provide uniform resistance to erosion
• Streams Meet at right angle approx.
• Develops on strongly joined rocky terrain
• Example → Vindhya Mountains of India

Trellis River Pattern

• River joined by tributaries at approx. right angle
• Develops in folded topography; alternate layers of hard & soft rocks
• Longer streams have preference to one direction
• Tributaries have preference to right angle to the main stream
• Example → Appalachian Mountains of North America & Singhbhum (Chotanagpur Plateau)

Radial River Pattern

• Streams flow in different directions from central peak
• Outflowing rivers, away from a central point, analogous with the spokes of a wheel
• Generally referred to rivers flowing through dome Mountains and volcanoes
• Example → Rivers Narmada, Son and Mahanadi originating from Amarkantak Hills; Girnar Hills (Kathiwar, Gujarat), and Mikir Hills of Assam

Pinnate River Pattern

• Main stream runs in one direction
• Tributaries join it at oblique angle

Parallel River Pattern

• Main stream runs in one direction
• Tributaries also join it running in the same direction