Parallel Drainage Patterns

08/26/25

“Why do some rivers flow down in parallel lines?”

Dendritic drainage patterns form when there are no major geological challenges to river flow. Something interesting is that when the slopes are constantly steep (greater than 5 degrees), the forces of gravity will force the different “branches” to become parallel to each other. These Parallel Drainage Patterns move in a consistent direction with consistent spacing from one another. Some rivers in the Lesser Himalayas exhibit parallel drainage patterns.

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