Chapter 3 Drainage System
Drainage: River system of an area.
Small streams from different directions join → form the main river → drains into large
water body (lake/sea/ocean).
Drainage Basin: Area drained by a single river system.
Water Divide: Elevated area (mountain/upland) separating two drainage basins.
Drainage Systems in India
Controlled by broad relief features of the subcontinent.
Two main groups of rivers:
1. Himalayan Rivers
2. Peninsular Rivers
, Himalayan Rivers
Perennial → water throughout the year.
Sources: Rain + melted snow.
Major rivers: Indus & Brahmaputra.
Cut deep gorges in mountains.
Long courses (source to sea).
Upper course → intensive erosion, carry silt & sand.
Middle & lower course → meanders, oxbow lakes, depositional features in floodplains.
Form well-developed deltas.
Peninsular Rivers
Drainage: River system of an area.
Small streams from different directions join → form the main river → drains into large
water body (lake/sea/ocean).
Drainage Basin: Area drained by a single river system.
Water Divide: Elevated area (mountain/upland) separating two drainage basins.
Drainage Systems in India
Controlled by broad relief features of the subcontinent.
Two main groups of rivers:
1. Himalayan Rivers
2. Peninsular Rivers
, Himalayan Rivers
Perennial → water throughout the year.
Sources: Rain + melted snow.
Major rivers: Indus & Brahmaputra.
Cut deep gorges in mountains.
Long courses (source to sea).
Upper course → intensive erosion, carry silt & sand.
Middle & lower course → meanders, oxbow lakes, depositional features in floodplains.
Form well-developed deltas.
Peninsular Rivers
