Question & Answer » GK Questions » Distinguish Between a Tributary and a Distributary

Distinguish Between a Tributary and a Distributary

Answer:  When a river splits into smaller streams or channels, it creates distributaries.

River tributaries are small streams of glacier water which merge to form a larger river.

Tributary

Distributary

A tributary of a larger river that eventually joins the main body of water

A tributary that separates itself from the mainstream or parent river and travels in a different direction

There is no direct connection to an ocean or lake here

Directly into a sea, ocean, or lake is possible

In the upper reaches of the river, you’ll usually find this species

The lower part of the river is where you’ll typically find it