2007-11-19 12:40:17 · 7 answers · asked by Jerome C 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Geography
Water can't flow up hill. Therefore gravity.
If you look on a topographical map check out the grind references at two points along the river. The one that's higher above sea level will be at the top over the river.
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2007-11-19 21:53:33 · answer #1 · answered by ★☆✿❀ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Water drains downwards, along path of least resistance.
We have mountains, melted snow comes down the side of the slope, and either accumulates in a lake, or finds a way to flow down in a stream which gathers other streams, and becomes a larger river.
The direction is downward, always downward.
What determines that? Gravity and terrain.
2007-11-19 23:14:55 · answer #2 · answered by Al Mac Wheel 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
West of the continental divide it flows to the Pacific. East of it flows to the Atlantic. But really the short answer is water runs down hill.
2007-11-19 20:47:14 · answer #3 · answered by Leroy J. 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gravity
2007-11-19 20:45:12 · answer #4 · answered by spyblitz 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Rivers flow south, except for the nile, which flows north.
2007-11-19 20:43:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
gravity and pressure of the water combined with the terrain its wearing down.
2007-11-19 20:50:58 · answer #6 · answered by jay p 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
gravity and slope of land.
2007-11-19 20:44:04 · answer #7 · answered by Dan H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋