Drainage Patterns

Trellis: A type of drainage system. As a river flows down a valley, smaller tributaries flow into it from the slopes of mountains at a 90 degree angle causing it to have the trellis appearance.

Radial: A type of drainage system. Streams radiate outwards from a high central point. Volcanoes often have this feature.


Dendritic: The most common form of drainage system. Form in v-shaped valley where many small tributaries join together and then join onto a main river, giving it the appearance of a tree.

Deranged: A type of drainage system with no coherent pattern or system. It occurs where there has been much upset or disruption of the surrounding area.