What term describes a river or stream flowing into a larger river?

What term describes a river or stream flowing into a larger river?

• A. Confluence
• B. Reservoir
• C. Springs
• D. Tributary

Answer: (D)

A river or stream flowing into a larger river is called a tributary. This term describes the relationship where a smaller watercourse adds its flow to a bigger one, feeding the main river system. The place where the tributary meets the larger river is the confluence, which is the junction itself, not the name of the smaller stream. A reservoir is an artificial lake created for storage, and springs are groundwater outlets that discharge at the surface; neither describes the contributing stream to a larger river. So the correct term for the described relationship is tributary.

A river or stream flowing into a larger river is called a tributary. This term describes the relationship where a smaller watercourse adds its flow to a bigger one, feeding the main river system. The place where the tributary meets the larger river is the confluence, which is the junction itself, not the name of the smaller stream. A reservoir is an artificial lake created for storage, and springs are groundwater outlets that discharge at the surface; neither describes the contributing stream to a larger river. So the correct term for the described relationship is tributary.