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.
Most large rivers are formed from many tributaries. Each tributary drains a different watershed, carrying runoff and snowmelt from that area. Each tributary's watershed makes up the larger watershed of the mainstem.
Three tributaries drain the Ontario portion of the watershed:
1.Turkey Creek
2.Little River
3.Canard River
Detroit River AOC is one of three binational AOCs. It drains an area of land in Michigan and Ontario that is approximately 700 square miles. Seventy-five percent of the AOC (607.7 square miles) is within Michigan boundaries (EPA 2008). The Detroit River itself runs a total of 32 miles as it progresses from Lake St. Clair to Lake Erie.
Watersheds and Tributaries
A "left-bank tributary" or "right-bank tributary" indicates the side of the river a tributary enters. When identifying a left-bank or right-bank tributary, a geographer looks downstream (the direction the river is flowing).
In order to log this Earthcache, you must email Caching Conductor the answers to the following questions, within 30 days or your log will be deleted.
1.Does Little River flow into the Detroit river? Or does the Detroit river flow into Little River?
2.Is this a left bank or right bank tributary?
-OPTIONAL- Post a photo of your team and/or your GPSr with the river in the background. You may post this photo with your log.