What is stream order?
2. Determine the order of streams on the stream network picture to the right. Indicate stream order by writing a 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. 3. Look at the pictures of a first-, second-, third-, and fourth- order stream at the bottom of the Web page. Fill out the chart comparing the stream types. Comparing Stream Order Stream OrderFirst-OrderSecond-OrderThird-OrderFourth-Order Shade (full, partial, or no shade) Width (narrow, very narrow, wide, very wide) Shape(straight, curvy) Physical Structure Look at the chart you filled out above. This chart looks at some ways streams change as they combine and form larger and larger rivers. Visit the Minnesota Shoreline Management Web page (http://www.shorelandmanagement.org/depth/rivers/02.html) and read about how a stream’s structure changes as it flows from its headwaters to its outlet. After reading the article, take some time to look at the graph “Three Longitudinal Zones and Channel Characteristics.” Answer the questions about how a stream changes as
