Examine the following map of rivers in southern Georgia. Draw the approximate boundaries of the drainage basins for the named streams. Note that the Savannah and St. Marys Rivers mark parts of the boundary of the state. Do not include the Savannah or St. Marys Rivers’ drainage basins.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To help you draw the approximate drainage basin boundaries for the rivers in southern Georgia (excluding the Savannah and St. Marys Rivers), here’s a detailed explanation and a description of what the correct answer involves.
✅ Correct Answer Summary:
To draw the approximate boundaries of the drainage basins for the major rivers in southern Georgia, follow these general guidelines:
- Identify the Major Rivers: Likely rivers include the Altamaha, Ocmulgee, Oconee, Ohoopee, Satilla, Alapaha, Withlacoochee, Ochlockonee, and Flint Rivers.
- Mark the Highest Elevations: Drainage basins are separated by ridges or high points in the land, where water flows away in different directions.
- Draw Divides Between Rivers: Use topographical clues to draw curved or angled boundary lines between the river systems, ensuring no overlap. These lines represent watersheds, where all water drains toward a specific river.
- Exclude the Savannah and St. Marys Basins: Do not draw boundaries that include areas draining into these rivers. Instead, draw your drainage boundaries so they border the areas of the Savannah and St. Marys rivers but do not cross into them.
🧠 300-Word Explanation:
A drainage basin, also known as a watershed, is the geographic area from which all precipitation collects and drains into a single river system. In southern Georgia, there are several major river systems, each with its own drainage basin. When examining a map, the goal is to determine how the land topography influences the direction that water flows, ultimately guiding it into different rivers.
For example, water falling on a hilltop might flow west into the Flint River or east into the Satilla River, depending on the slope. These dividing lines—called drainage divides—are typically found along ridges or elevated land. The divides mark the edges of each basin.
To draw the drainage basins correctly:
- Observe where each river flows (generally toward the southeast).
- Identify the surrounding terrain. Even without elevation lines, you can often infer ridges by the river flow direction and spacing.
- Draw curved or straight lines between rivers to show the land areas draining into each one. These lines should not cross rivers.
- The Flint River drains parts of southwest Georgia, while the Altamaha system drains central Georgia toward the southeast.
- The Satilla and Alapaha Rivers drain into the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf via the Suwannee.
It’s critical not to include the Savannah and St. Marys Rivers’ basins. These two rivers form parts of Georgia’s eastern boundary and have their own separate watersheds. So, your boundaries should run adjacent to those areas but exclude them, keeping your focus on southern Georgia’s internal river systems.
Let me know if you’d like a visual diagram or help drawing it!