how dose a river know which way to flow?

Answer 1

Gravity.

Answer 2

Well every river starts at a high elevation like a mountain range and empty into the ocean so they can only flow one way. O and on the North to South thing not true. several rivers flow east to west or west to east. Like the river that connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean.

Answer 3

I am part of the ocean...and even though I am only ONE DROP of the Ocean..I believe the ocean would be LESS without this ONE drop!

LOL...*sorry just felt like writing that First, before moving on into answering your question!
Honestly, how would I KNOW?! I am certainly NOT "GOD" so I, just like EVERYONE else DON'T know how the river KNOWS which way to flow...I guess it could be the pressure of the pipes (*If any) The current's direction or perhaps the "WINDS" have something to do with this?...=)

*Ferrari Girl*

Answer 4

most of the origins of rivers are from mountain and since water flows downhill it moves where it finds the smoothest way without obstacles
some rivers do not end up in oceans like river zhob in pakistan
and it is not about equator as river nile(africa) flows from south to north and river indus(asia) flows from north to south and they both lie in same equator

Answer 5

Rivers dont 'know' anything. But since water flows downhill, the river flows in the downhill direction of its surrounding terrain.

Answer 6

If its above the equator, it flows from north to south. Below the equator, its south to north. It doesn't know it is doing it for the same reason why you fall down and planes crash, because of gravity.

Answer 7

gravity

Answer 8

Thanks to the voices in its head.

Also, gravity.