Contour lines that form V shapes indicate a stream; the V points in which direction?

Contour lines that form V shapes indicate a stream; the V points in which direction?

• A. Upstream
• B. Downstream
• C. Intersection
• D. Confluence

Answer: (A)

Contour lines show elevation, and where a stream has carved a valley, they bend to form a V with the point directed toward higher ground. That pointing direction is upstream, because water flows from upstream to downstream (from higher to lower elevation). The open end of the V faces downstream, where the stream continues along the valley. So the V points upstream. The other ideas—downstream, intersection, or confluence—don’t describe the direction indicated by the V shape formed by contour lines around a stream.

Contour lines show elevation, and where a stream has carved a valley, they bend to form a V with the point directed toward higher ground. That pointing direction is upstream, because water flows from upstream to downstream (from higher to lower elevation). The open end of the V faces downstream, where the stream continues along the valley. So the V points upstream. The other ideas—downstream, intersection, or confluence—don’t describe the direction indicated by the V shape formed by contour lines around a stream.