Skip Navigation

  Button that takes you to the glossary page. Button that takes you to the related links page. Button that takes you to the references page. Button that takes you to the Problem Based Learning model page. Button that takes you to the modules and activities page. Button that takes you to the teacher pages. Button that takes you back to the main page.Image map of some Water Quality puzzle pieces.  Please have someone assist you with this.

Watershed Approach

Stream Ordering

River as a Continuum

Watershed Water Quality

Stream Ordering
Stream order is a measure of the relative size of streams. Stream sizes range from the smallest, first-order, to the largest, the twelfth-order (the Amazon River). Over 80% of the total length of Earth's rivers and streams are headwater streams (first- and second-order). As water molecules travel from headwater streams toward the mouth of mighty rivers, streams gradually increase their width and depth. The amount of water they discharge also increases.
Image showing a stream ordering.  This image links to a more detailed image. The image Wheeling Creek stream map shows all of the permanently flowing streams in the Wheeling Creek watershed. Trace the path of a drop of water as it flows down a gradient from headwaters to mouth. How many stream orders must the water pass through to reach the Ohio River? View the image watersheds to see a comparison of the drainage area of third- and fourth-order streams in the Wheeling Creek watershed.  Photo: Courtesy of Dr. Trevor Harris, WVU and Dr. Ben Stout
Image showing a stream ordering.  This image links to a more detailed image. You can determine stream order from a map of a stream network. A sample stream ordering diagram to the left is provided to assist you. Start by identifying the smallest streams, those that have no permanently flowing tributaries. First-order streams are perennial streams, which carry water all year. When two first-order streams come together, they become a second-order stream. When two second-order streams come together, they form a third-order stream. However, if a first-order stream joins a second-order stream, it remains a second-order stream. It is not until a second-order stream combines with another second-order stream that it becomes a third-order stream. Print the Wheeling Creek stream map and see if you can determine the stream order of Wheeling Creek where it enters the eighth-order Ohio River. Photo: Courtesy of Hope Sacco Childers
Image of a first-order stream in a forested area of the Wheeling Creek watershed.  This image links to a more detailed image. A first-order stream in a forested area of the Wheeling Creek watershed. Notice the narrow stream width and the closed forest canopy. This stream is well-shaded during the months when leaves are on the trees. Photo: Courtesy of Kenneth E. Rastall
Image of a second-order stream in the headwaters of Wheeling Creek.  This image links to a more detailed image. A second-order stream in the headwaters of Wheeling Creek. Photo: Courtesy of Kenneth E. Rastall
Image of a fourth order stream.  This image links to a more detailed image. A second-order stream joins a fourth-order stream. Does the fourth-order stream double in size with the addition of a second-order stream? Photo: Courtesy of Pamela S. Rastall
Image of a third order stream.  This image links to a more detailed image. A third-order stream. How does the stream's width and forest canopy compare with those of the first-order stream and the sixth-order stream? Photo: Courtesy of Kenneth E. Rastall
Image showing an aerial view of a third-order stream entering a fourth-order stream.  This image links to a more detailed image. Aerial view of a third-order stream entering a fourth-order stream. Does stream order change when this tributary enters the larger stream? Photo: Courtesy of Dr. Ben Stout
Image of some grassy water near the Ohio River.  This image links to a more detailed image. Wheeling Creek nearing the Ohio River. How does this stream differ from those above? Photo: Courtesy of Dr. Ben Stout

[ Glossary] [ Related Links ] [ References ] [ PBL Model ]

[ Home ] [ Teacher Pages ] [ Modules & Activities ]

Button that takes you back to the Water Quality main page.


HTML code by Chris Kreger
Maintained by ETE Team
Last updated November 10, 2004

Some images © 2004 www.clipart.com

Privacy Statement and Copyright © 1997-2004 by Wheeling Jesuit University/NASA-supported Classroom of the Future. All rights reserved.

Center for Educational Technologies, Circuit Board/Apple graphic logo, and COTF Classroom of the Future logo are registered trademarks of Wheeling Jesuit University.