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Drainage System in Geography Complete Notes for SSC, OSSSC, UPSC & Railway Exams

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Drainage System – Geography (Complete Notes)

1. What is a Drainage System?

A drainage system is the pattern formed by rivers, streams, and their tributaries that collect and drain water from a particular area into a common outlet like a sea, ocean, lake, or another river.

  • The area drained by a river and its tributaries is called a Drainage Basin.
  • The boundary separating two drainage basins is called a Water Divide.

Example: The Ganga River basin is one of the largest drainage basins in India.

2. Types of Drainage Systems (Based on Drainage Pattern)

1. Dendritic Drainage

  • Looks like the branches of a tree.
  • Develops where the rock structure is uniform.
  • Most common drainage pattern.

Example: Rivers in the Northern Plains.

2. Trellis Drainage

  • Rivers flow parallel, and tributaries join at right angles.
  • Develops in folded mountains.

Example: Rivers in the Appalachian Mountains.

3. Rectangular Drainage

  • Rivers follow right-angle turns.
  • Develops where rocks are jointed or fractured.

Example: Found in some parts of the Vindhyan Range.

4. Radial Drainage

  • Rivers flow outward from a central high point.

Example: Rivers originating from Amarkantak Plateau.

5. Centripetal Drainage

  • Rivers flow towards a central basin or lake.

Example: Drainage towards Sambhar Lake.

3. Types of Drainage (Based on Outflow)

1. Open Drainage System

Water flows into sea or ocean.

Example:

  • Ganga River
  • Brahmaputra River

2. Closed Drainage System

Water does not reach the sea and flows into lakes or inland basins.

Example: Luni River

4. Drainage System of India

India has two main drainage systems:

1. Himalayan Drainage System

Characteristics:

  • Perennial rivers (flow throughout the year)
  • Water from glaciers and rainfall
  • Long rivers with large basins

Major rivers:

  • Ganga River
  • Indus River
  • Brahmaputra River

2. Peninsular Drainage System

Characteristics:

  • Seasonal rivers
  • Flow mainly due to rainfall
  • Older rivers with shorter courses

Major rivers:

  • Godavari River
  • Krishna River
  • Kaveri River
  • Mahanadi River

5. Important Terms

Term Meaning
Tributary A smaller river joining a main river
River Basin Area drained by a river
Water Divide High land separating two drainage basins
Delta Landform formed at river mouth due to sediment deposition
Estuary Tidal mouth of a river

Example:
The Sundarbans Delta is the largest delta in the world.

6. Importance of Drainage System

  • Provides water for agriculture
  • Source of drinking water
  • Supports transport and trade
  • Helps in hydroelectric power generation
  • Maintains ecosystems and biodiversity

7. Major River Systems of India

  1. Indus River System
  2. Ganga River System
  3. Brahmaputra River System
  4. Godavari River System
  5. Krishna River System
  6. Mahanadi River System

✅ Exam Tip (SSC / OSSSC / Railway / UPSC):

Most asked questions:

  • Largest river basin in India → Ganga River
  • Longest river in India → Ganga River
  • Largest delta → Sundarbans Delta
  • Peninsular longest river → Godavari River


📘 Physical Divisions of India Notes

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