River Vs Stream

A river is a large, flowing body of water that typically originates from a source such as a spring, glacier, or rainfall, and travels across the land, eventually emptying into an ocean, sea, or lake. Rivers are characterized by their substantial size, volume, and length, often serving as crucial natural resources for ecosystems, human settlements, and economic activities. They shape the landscape through processes of erosion and sediment deposition, creating valleys, floodplains, and deltas, and can be influenced by various geographical features such as mountains and plains.

A stream is a smaller, flowing body of water that is often a tributary to a river. Streams can vary widely in size and depth, typically originating from springs, melting snow, or rainfall, and they flow over land towards larger water bodies. Due to their smaller scale, streams play a vital role in local ecosystems, providing habitats for various species and contributing to the hydrological cycle. They often exhibit a more intricate network of flow patterns and can be affected by environmental factors such as terrain, vegetation, and human activity.