River Systems Quiz Pt. 2

The Mississippi River is the largest river in the US because it has the highest volume of water flow and the longest length compared to the other options. It stretches for about 2,320 miles from its source in Minnesota to its mouth in the Gulf of Mexico. The Mississippi River is also an important transportation route, supporting commerce and trade throughout the central United States.

A drainage divide refers to the boundary or line that separates adjacent drainage basins. It is the point where water flow is divided, with each side of the divide draining into different basins or river systems. This boundary determines the direction in which water will flow and ultimately determines the final destination of rainfall in a particular area.

The correct answer lists the four types of stream flow patterns: radial, trellis, dendritic, and rectangular. Radial pattern refers to streams that flow outward from a central point, like spokes on a wheel. Trellis pattern is characterized by parallel main streams with smaller tributaries flowing perpendicular to them. Dendritic pattern resembles the branches of a tree, with smaller tributaries joining larger streams. Rectangular pattern occurs when streams follow a rectangular grid-like pattern, often due to underlying geological structures.

A river system consists of three main parts: tributary streams, distributary streams, and a trunk stream. Tributary streams are smaller streams that flow into the main river, adding water and sediment to it. Distributary streams are smaller channels that branch off from the main river and carry water away from it. The trunk stream is the main channel of the river, through which the majority of the water flows. These three components work together to form a complex network of waterways that make up a river system.