The key difference between a stream and a brook is that a stream refers to any body of water flowing in a channel or watercourse whereas s brook refers to a small and shallow stream.
As streams refer to any type of flowing body of water, many water bodies such as rivers, creeks, brooks, and rivulets are streams. Hence, brooks are also a type of streams. However, they are typically smaller and shallower than rivers and creeks.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is a Stream
3. What is a Brook
4. Relationship Between a Stream and a Brook
5. Side by Side Comparison – a Stream vs a Brook in Tabular Form
6. Summary
What is a Stream?
According to the United States Board on Geographical Names, a stream is any linear, flowing body of water flowing on the Earth’s surface. Thus, many terms including river, creek and brook fall under the category of streams. In other words, we can use this word to describe any type of flowing body of water. However, in British English, a stream sometimes refers to a small, narrow river.
Streams flow along a fixed route, which is formed by a channel cut into rock or ground, usually at ground level. They can take different shapes depending on the type of landscape through which they flow. For instance, streams can become waterfalls in mountainous areas. Moreover, the source of water in streams is rainwater, melting snow and ice, and groundwater.
To be called a stream, a body of water must be either perennial or recurring. A perennial stream has continuous flow, at least in parts of its stream bed, all year round (during years of normal rainfall) whereas a recurring stream only has a continuous flow during a part of the year.
What is a Brook?
A brook is a small stream. This is typically smaller than rivers and creeks. Moreover, brooks are usually tributary of a river; however, this may not always be the case. Brooks may be fed by a spring or seep as well.
A main characteristic of brooks is their shallowness. You can easily wade through a brook because of this shallowness.
What is the Relationship Between a Stream and a Brook
- Brook is a small and shallow stream.
What is the Difference Between a Stream and a Brook?
Stream refers to any body of water flowing in a channel or watercourse whereas brook refers to a small and shallow stream. Therefore, the key difference between a stream and a brook is the size. That is; streams include large rivers, small to medium-sized creeks as well as small brooks whereas brooks are smaller than rivers and creeks. Moreover, brooks are very shallow and easily forded. So, this is another difference between a stream and a brook.
Summary – a Stream vs a Brook
Streams and brooks are both flowing bodies of water. The key difference between a stream and a brook is that a stream refers to any body of water flowing in a channel or watercourse whereas s brook refers to a small and shallow stream.
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1.”2836358″ by earsrule (CC0) via pixabay
2.”3648654″ by _Alicja_ (CC0) via pixabay