River Terms

A stream that flows into a larger stream or river, or into a lake.

• Tributary

• Estuary

• Delta

• Reservoir

To move or curve in a spiral motion or a winding path.

• Meander

• Saunter

• Amble

• Straggle

The area that collects rainfall, which flows to a stream or river.

• Watershed

• Aquifer

• Groundwater

• Reservoir

A watershed can also be called what?

• A basin

• A river

• A delta

• An aquifer

Maps that show the physical features of the land like mountains, lakes, rivers, and valleys.

• Topography

• Weather patterns

• Political boundaries

• Population density

A person who makes maps.

• Cartographer

• Geographer

• Architect

• Meteorologist

People who study the science of the Earth like mountains, deserts, rivers and oceans.

• Geographer

• Biologists

• Astrologers

• Meteorologists

Tiny parts of sand, clay, minerals, and small particles found at the bottom of rivers.

• silt

• Fish eggs

• Decaying plant matter

• Rocks and boulders

A severe shortage of

food (as through crop failure) that results in hunger and starvation.

• famine

• confluence

• tributary

• oxbow

Waterways that are built by people and used for shipping, travel, and watering crops.

• canals

• Rivers

• Motorways

• Railways