the part of the mouth or lower course of a river in which the rivers current meets the sea tide

What is the meaning of the word tributary?

that part of the mouth or lower course of a river in which the river's current meets the sea's tide. an arm or inlet of the sea at the lower end of a river. QUIZ YOURSELF ON AFFECT VS.

What is the mouth of a river called?

The mouth of a river is another name for its terminus, where it meets an ocean, sea or lake. Because rivers generally carry abundant sediment and deposit it at the mouth, they often form deltas, or broad, shallow areas.

What is the opposite end of a river called?

The opposite end of the river is called the headwaters or the source; however, the headwaters are often formed by several discreet sources that all occur in the same general area. The source of a river is usually at a much higher elevation than the mouth.

Why do rivers form deltas and headwaters?

Because rivers generally carry abundant sediment and deposit it at the mouth, they often form deltas, or broad, shallow areas. The opposite end of the river is called the headwaters or the source; however, the headwaters are often formed by several discreet sources that all occur in the same general area.

What area where the mouth of a river meets an ocean?

estuaryAn estuary is an area where a freshwater river or stream meets the ocean. When freshwater and seawater combine, the water becomes brackish, or slightly salty.

What is the name for the mouth of a river where it meets the ocean and the water is saltwater mixed with freshwater?

EstuariesEstuaries: Where the River Meets the Sea. Estuaries. Where freshwater rivers meet the salty open sea. There is a lot to love in an estuary.

What is called the river's mouth?

The place where a river enters a lake, larger river, or the ocean is called its mouth.

What is the name for an area where the mouth of a river drains into a body of saltwater therefore creating a body of water that is a mix of freshwater and saltwater?

An estuary is a partially enclosed coastal body of brackish water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea. Estuaries form a transition zone between river environments and maritime environments and are an example of an ecotone.

Where does the ocean and river meet?

estuaryWhere a river meets the ocean is called an estuary. It is a transition area, the boundary between riverbanks and the open ocean where salt and freshwater mix together.

What is an estuary in a river?

An estuary is a partially enclosed, coastal water body where freshwater from rivers and streams mixes with salt water from the ocean. Estuaries, and their surrounding lands, are places of transition from land to sea.

What is called tributary?

A tributary is a freshwater stream that feeds into a larger stream or river. The larger, or parent, river is called the mainstem. The point where a tributary meets the mainstem is called the confluence. Tributaries, also called affluents, do not flow directly into the ocean.

What is the mouth of an estuary?

Juergen Wackenhut/Shutterstock.com. A river mouth is where the river ends, but an estuary is typically a transition area that exists before a river reaches its final destination at a saltwater location. Estuaries are somewhat closed-off bodies of water where rivers and saltwater meet.

What is called mouth?

The mouth is an oval-shaped cavity inside the skull. The two main functions of the mouth are eating and speaking. Parts of the mouth include the lips, vestibule, mouth cavity, gums, teeth, hard and soft palate, tongue and salivary glands. The mouth is also known as the oral cavity or the buccal cavity.

Why is an estuary called?

Estuaries are often called the “nurseries of the sea,” because so many animals reproduce and spend the early part of their lives there. Salty seawater mixes with fresh water draining from the land to create habitats with unique conditions that are not found elsewhere.

How do you say the word estuary?

2:182:32How to pronounce ESTUARY - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe word estuary is derived from the Latin word as to area meaning tidally land of the sea.MoreThe word estuary is derived from the Latin word as to area meaning tidally land of the sea.

What is estuary and intertidal zone?

Estuaries are bodies of water and their surrounding coastal habitats typically found where rivers meet the sea. Marine biologists divide the intertidal region into three zones (low, middle, and high), based on the overall average exposure of the zone.

What happens when a river empties into the ocean?

When a river’s mouth empties into an ocean or sea, the fresh water from the river mixes with the salty water from the ocean, producing brackish, or semi-salty water.

Why do rivers form deltas?

Because rivers generally carry abundant sediment and deposit it at the mouth, they often form deltas, or broad, shallow areas. The opposite end of the river is called the headwaters or the source; however, the headwaters are often formed by several discreet sources that all occur in the same general area. The source of a river is usually ...

Why do rivers always follow gravity?

The source of a river is usually at a much higher elevation than the mouth. Because they follow the contours of the ground , rivers rarely follow a straight path -- they always follow gravity to the lowest spot. When this occurs, a river is said to “meander.”. When the land’s slope is steep, the rivers are usually fast, ...