Map Reading

Drainage patterns. Explore The 3 Major Types

In this post shall discuss the three main categories of Drainage patterns found at the different parts of the world.

  • A drainage pattern refers to the total network formed by the river and its tributaries over the surface of the earth.
  • There are three types of drainage patterns namely:

a) Dendritic drainage
b) Trellis drainage
c) Radial drainage

Dendritic Drainage Patterns

  • The word dendritic comes from a Greek word ‘Dendron’ which means ‘tree’
  • Dendritic or tree like drainage pattern developed on homogenous rock or beds of equal resistance.
  • The initial stream that exists as a consequence of the slope is called the consequent stream.
  • If the rocks are composed of homogeneous beds of uniform resistance to erosion, the tributaries will join the main valley obliquely as in sequent streams.
Dendritic drainage Patterns

Trellis or rectangular drainage pattern

 This forms when faulting causes rectangular rock joining on which rivers develop.
 The tributaries join the main streams at right angles (900).
 The drainage pattern which will be developed will be rectangular in shape and is called trellis drainage pattern.
 Trellised or rectangular drainage pattern developed on alternating outcrops of harder and softer rocks

Trellis or rectangular drainage pattern in Rural settlement

Radial drainage pattern

 This is develops on a dome shaped landforms such as volcanic or glaciated hills from which rivers radiate into different.
 It appears just like the spokes of the bicycle wheel
 An example of radial drainage pattern is on Mount Egmont in North Island, New Zealand

Radial drainage patterns
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