Water System

Synonym: Drainage

The term water system refers to all surface water flows in a system, including all of the main rivers, tributaries of all levels and lakes connected to these rivers in a river basin. In map view, the geometric form of a water system can be dendritic, parallel, lattice, annular, radial or convergent. A water system is closely related to the regional geological structure and geomorphic conditions. Rivers that develop in areas of subsidence tend to have a convergent form. Rivers in dome-shaped uplifted areas tend to have radial patterns. A water system in an active fault zone tends to have a lattice pattern with right-angle bends. Parallel water systems usually develop in steeply dipping areas, whereas rivers that develop in karst regions tend to have a dotted stars pattern (Fig. 6).

Fig. 6

River system development. (a, b and c) indicate stages of development. Main course; 2. tertiary tributary; 3. secondary tributary; 4. primary tributary