What is a distributary river?
Quick Answer
A distributary is a branch that splits off from a main river and flows away from it, often in a delta or wetland. It carries water and sediment toward a lake, sea, or floodplain instead of joining the main channel.
The Full Story
Distributaries form when a river divides into smaller channels, usually where the slope becomes flatter and sediment builds up. They are common in river deltas, such as the Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta and the Nile Delta, where deposited silt helps split the flow. Unlike tributaries, which add water to a river, distributaries remove water from it. These branching channels can change frequently after floods, storms, or shifting sediments.
Key Facts
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"Why some rivers split into many smaller rivers"
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