🌊 DRAINAGE PATTERN & QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
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PART–1: DRAINAGE PATTERN
Definition
Drainage pattern refers to the geometric arrangement of streams and their tributaries within
a drainage basin and their spatial relationship with one another.
It is controlled by:
Rock type
Geological structure
Slope
Tectonic activity
Climate
TYPES OF DRAINAGE PATTERN
1️⃣ Dendritic Pattern
Characteristics:
Irregular branching like a tree.
Tributaries join the main stream at acute or nearly right angles.
Develops on uniform rock resistance.
Most common drainage pattern.
Conditions:
Horizontal sedimentary rocks
Massive igneous or metamorphic rocks
Gentle slope
Diagram:
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✔ Looks like tree roots.
2️⃣ Trellis Pattern
Characteristics:
Main stream flows along valleys.
Tributaries join at nearly right angles (90°).
Secondary tributaries are parallel to main stream.
Controlled by alternating hard and soft rock layers.
Conditions:
Folded sedimentary rocks
Alternating resistant and weak rock bands
Diagram:
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Main Stream -----------------------
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✔ Indicates structural control.
3️⃣ Rectangular Pattern
Characteristics:
Streams follow joint or fault patterns.
Frequent right-angle bends.
Forms rectangular network.
Conditions:
Strong joint systems
Fractured bedrock
Diagram:
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|__________|
✔ Sharp 90° turns.
4️⃣ Radial Pattern
(a) Radial Outward
Streams flow outward from central high point.
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↖ | ↗
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↙ | ↘
↓
(b) Radial Inward (Centripetal)
Streams flow inward to a central basin.
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↓
↘ | ↙
●
↗ | ↖
↑
✔ Found on domes, volcanoes, basins.
5️⃣ Annular Pattern
Characteristics:
Circular or concentric streams.
Develops on maturely dissected domes.
Alternating hard and soft rock layers.
Diagram:
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✔ Ring-like drainage.
6️⃣ Parallel Pattern
Characteristics:
Streams run parallel.
Develops in regions with steep slope.
Diagram:
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✔ Strong slope control.
7️⃣ Irregular Pattern
Characteristics:
Disorganized network.
Found in glaciated regions.
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✔ No systematic arrangement.
PART–2: QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF STREAM NETWORK
This involves mathematical measurement of drainage characteristics.
1️⃣ STREAM ORDER (Horton’s System)
Rules:
No tributary → 1st order
Two 1st order join → 2nd order
Two 2nd order join → 3rd order
And so on
2️⃣ BIFURCATION RATIO (B.R.)
Definition:
Ratio of number of streams of one order to number of streams of next higher order.
Formula:
Where:
� = Number of streams of given order
� = Number of streams of next higher order
Example Calculation:
Order
No. of Streams
1
18
2
6
3
3
4
1
Average B.R:
✔ Normal range: 3–5
✔ High value → Structural disturbance
3️⃣ LENGTH RATIO (L.R.)
Definition:
Ratio of mean length of streams of one order to mean length of next lower order.
Formula:
Example:
Order
Mean Length (miles)
1
5.3
2
24.8
3
70.2
4
150.5
Average L.R:
4️⃣ LENGTH OF CHANNEL
Empirical Formula:
Given Area (A) = 2100 sq. miles
5️⃣ DRAINAGE DENSITY (Dd)
Formula:
Given:
Total stream length = 580 miles
Area = 2100 sq. miles
6️⃣ LENGTH OF OVERLAND FLOW
7️⃣ STREAM FREQUENCY (Fs)
Total streams = 18 + 6 + 3 + 1 = 28
FINAL SUMMARY TABLE
Parameter
Formula
Result
Average B.R.
Nu/Nu+1
2.67
Average L.R.
Lu/Lu-1
3.22
Channel Length
1.4√A
64.15 miles
Drainage Density
ΣL/A
0.276
Overland Flow
1/(2Dd)
1.81 miles
Stream Frequency
N/A
0.0133