{"id":999,"date":"2019-05-07T16:44:29","date_gmt":"2019-05-07T11:14:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/knowledgekart.in\/blog\/?p=999"},"modified":"2021-04-23T18:43:23","modified_gmt":"2021-04-23T13:13:23","slug":"basic-terminology-used-for-the-study-of-rivers-must-read-for-upsc-ias","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/knowledgekart.in\/blog\/basic-terminology-used-for-the-study-of-rivers-must-read-for-upsc-ias\/","title":{"rendered":"Basic Terminology used for the study of rivers UPSC IAS 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>\n\nBefore we start with the drainage system of India, let\u2019s look at the broad framework along which we will proceed.\n\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Article outline:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Basic Terminology<\/strong>\n<ul><li>Source of a river<\/li><li>Confluence<\/li><li>Tributary<\/li><li>Distributary<\/li><li>Mouth of a river<\/li><li>River basin, catchment area and watershed<\/li><li>River Rejuvenation<\/li><li>River Regime and River Discharge<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/li><li><strong>Drainage \u2013 Discordant and Concordant <\/strong>\n<ul><li>Discordant drainage\n<ul><li>Antecedent Drainage<\/li><li>Superimposed Drainage<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/li><li>Concordant Drainage\n<ul><li>Consequent Streams<\/li><li>Subsequent Streams<\/li><li>Obsequent Streams<\/li><li>Resequent Streams<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/li><li><strong>Drainage patterns<\/strong>\n<ul><li>Dendritic<\/li><li>Trellis<\/li><li>Rectangular<\/li><li>Radial<\/li><li>Annular<\/li><li>Parallel<\/li><li>Centripetal<\/li><li>Deranged<\/li><li>Barbed<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/li><li><strong>The Drainage System of India<\/strong>\n<ul><li>Classification of Drainage Systems in India\n<ul><li>On the basis of discharge of water \u2013 the Arabian Sea drainage, the Bay of Bengal drainage and inland drainage.<\/li><li>On the basis of the size of the watershed \u2013 Major, Medium and minor<\/li><li>On the basis of the mode of origin, nature and characteristics \u2013 the Himalayan drainage and the Peninsular drainage.<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/li><li>The Himalayan drainage\n<ul><li>Evolution<\/li><li>Major River systems<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/li><li>The Peninsular drainage\n<ul><li>Evolution<\/li><li>Major river systems<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/li><li>Differences between the Himalayan and Peninsular river systems<\/li><li>The shifting courses of rivers<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Before we study India\u2019s Drainage system, it is imperative that we  understand the basic terminology associated with a river and its  drainage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"546\" height=\"307\" src=\"https:\/\/knowledgekart.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/28752abf6cf60d08fd9fb7005ea35709b06c788d.jpg\" alt=\"dranage sysytem\" class=\"wp-image-1000\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/knowledgekart.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/28752abf6cf60d08fd9fb7005ea35709b06c788d.jpg 546w, https:\/\/knowledgekart.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/28752abf6cf60d08fd9fb7005ea35709b06c788d-416x234.jpg 416w, https:\/\/knowledgekart.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/28752abf6cf60d08fd9fb7005ea35709b06c788d-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 546px) 100vw, 546px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Some basic terms: <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source of a river: <\/strong>The beginning or start of a river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Confluence: <\/strong>The point at which two rivers or streams join.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Distributary: <\/strong>The\n small river that branches out from the main river and then never meets \nagain. It thus decreases the river\u2019s water volume. Distributaries are \ncommonly found on deltas but are also important in the formation of \nalluvial fans and cones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Tributary: <\/strong>A stream or smaller river which joins a larger stream or river and thus increases its water volume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Mouth: <\/strong>The point where the river comes to the end, usually when entering a sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Determination of left\/right bank of a river: Stand facing the mouth  of the river in the direction of its course. Your left hand side will be  the left bank and your right hand side, the right bank. Basic Terminology used for the study of rivers<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">River basin, catchment area and watershed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Generally, the area drained by a river and its tributaries is called \nits river basin or catchment area or a watershed. But, there are subtle \ndifferences between them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>River Basin: <\/strong>All the area drained by a river and its tributaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Catchment area<\/strong>: It refers to all the area of land over which rain falls and is caught to serve a river basin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The catchment area of large rivers or river system is called a river \nbasin while those of small rivers, a lake, a tank is often referred to \nas a watershed. Watersheds are small in area, generally less than 1000 \nha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are many smaller watersheds within a river basin. Example: \nwatershed of Yamuna + water shed of Chambal + watershed of Gandak + \u2026. =\n Drainage basin of Ganga.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Watershed<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"475\" height=\"278\" src=\"https:\/\/knowledgekart.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/watershed-diagram.gif\" alt=\"Watershed\" class=\"wp-image-1001\" title=\"\"><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1. As a catchment\/drainage area<\/strong>: All the land with a  common outlet for its surface water ie a geohydrological area from where  the water drains to a common point. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"What Is A Watershed\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/XmwwtNLKyuY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2. As a water divide<\/strong>: Watershed as a water divide  refers to an elevated line from where the water flows in different  directions into different river basins. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"241\" src=\"https:\/\/knowledgekart.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Watershed-divide.jpg\" alt=\"watershed divide\" class=\"wp-image-1002\" title=\"\"><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The 3 major watersheds which direct and control the flow of surface water in India are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The Great Himalayan watershed with its important Karakoram branch<\/li><li>In Central India, the watershed is formed by Vindhyas, Satpura and Maikala ranges.<\/li><li>The Western Ghats.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A river basin or watershed is often taken as planning unit for macro\/micro level developmental planning because<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>River basins and watersheds are marked by synergy and unity. What \nhappens in one part of the basin or watershed (eg flood, drought etc.) \ndirectly affects the other parts and the unit as a whole.<\/li><li>The data about land and water characteristics is measurable and comparable.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Base level of erosion and River Profile:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Base level of erosion:<\/strong> \u2013 It is the lowest level to \nwhich down-cutting by a river is possible, often referred to as the \n\u2018mouth of the river\u2019. The ultimate base level for any stream is the \nwater body into which it flows \u2013 sea, lake, reservoir, dam etc. For \nlarge rivers, sea level is usually the base level, but a large river or \nlake is likewise the base level for tributary streams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Under normal circumstances, the goal of a river is to do the work of \nerosion, initially up to its local and then permanent base level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>River Profile:<\/strong> It refers to the cross-section of a  river from its source to mouth representing the height of the river at  various points. The peninsular rivers have almost reached their base  levels of erosion. Basic Terminology used for the study of rivers<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">River Rejuvenation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>River Rejuvenation<\/strong> refers to a significant enhancement in the erosive power of the rivers. It can happen because of the following reasons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Fall in the sea level (lowering of base level of erosion)<\/li><li>Dynamic upliftment of the land<\/li><li>For a given load, if there is a considerable increase in the volume of water.<\/li><li>For a given volume of water, if there is a considerable decrease in the load.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">River Regime and River Discharge:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Discharge<\/strong>: The volume of water flowing in a river  measured over time. It is measured either in cusecs (cubic feet per  second) or cumecs (cubic metres per second). Basic Terminology used for the study of rivers<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>River regime:<\/strong> It refers to the seasonal fluctuation in respect of volume of water in the river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s consider the case of Himalayan and Peninsular rivers. The main \ndifferences in their flows are caused by the differences in climate. The\n main differences are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>The regimes of Himalayan Rivers are monsoonal as well as glacial<\/strong>.  This is because the Himalayan Rivers are perennial as they are fed by  glaciers through snow melt and also receive rainfall water during rainy  season. E.g. The river Ganga has its minimum flow during the  January-June period, maximum flow is attained either in August or in  September followed by a gradual steady fall afterwards.<\/li><li><strong>The regimes of most of the peninsular rivers, on the other hand, are monsoonal<\/strong>  as they are fed by rainfall alone e.g. the river Narmada has a very low  volume of discharge from Jan-July and a sharp rise in August (the rise  corresponding with the monsoon season). The fall in October is as  spectacular as the rise in August (as the monsoon season ends). It also  varies from one part of the Peninsular plateau to the other.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Basic Terminology used for the study of rivers<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/knowledgekart.in\">Click here to read more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/upsc.gov.in\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">UPSC<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Before we start with the drainage system of India, let\u2019s look at the broad framework along which we will proceed. Article outline: Basic Terminology Source of a river Confluence Tributary&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1000,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[55,64,53,66,56,61,58,68],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-999","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-g-k","category-hpsc","category-ias","category-ibps","category-indian-freedom-movement","category-indian-geography","category-indian-polity","category-ips"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/knowledgekart.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/999","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/knowledgekart.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/knowledgekart.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/knowledgekart.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/knowledgekart.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=999"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/knowledgekart.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/999\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/knowledgekart.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1000"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/knowledgekart.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=999"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/knowledgekart.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=999"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/knowledgekart.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=999"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}