WiP: The Hinterlands Region

[Midgardsormr]

It's a common mistake to think that rivers fork. We see that shape all the time, after all. But what they're really doing is joining together, not splitting apart. A river might fork temporarily during a flood, but it will very quickly choose one channel or the other, usually within a matter of hours. The same goes for lakes: one outflow only, although they can have any number of sources. If you do a search for "How to get your rivers in the right place" and/or "Essential river guidelines for mapping," you'll get more information on the topic than you could ever have wanted.

I actually kind of like the typeface, although it's crude in comparison to the obviously skillful draughtsmanship of the map's symbols.

[tmilktoast]

That's some good information Midgardsormr. I have to confess that I knew of that thread / document about rivers, but I haven't taken the time to read through it. That's something I should do.

Aquaritis, even though that wasn't the point of your post, I have thought of making my rivers more windy like that. I was recently getting directions on Google Maps and noted how squiggly, wiggly, and contorted a lot of real rivers are. Mine are kind of boring in contrast. But, clearly the elevation (and rockiness?) of the land has something to with that. I'll read more about river placement before I get too crazy.

Max, it definitely is.

I'm going to be occupied with work and family matters, but I hope to update my map within in a few days.

Thanks again.

[jfrazierjr]

But, clearly the elevation (and rockiness?) of the land has something to with that.

Exactly.... really, it's the elevation. Just like any liquid, it will always flow toward the lowest point. This is why higher elevations tend to be somewhat straight(ish) watercourses, while flatlands tend make more meandering watercourses. Rockiness does not matter in the short term for slow moving rivers, but if water is flowing equally over an area with hard soil/rock and soft soil(ie, exact same height and slope), eventually erosion will shift the current toward the softer soil and the harder will be above the water line. Simple physics at work here.

[aquarits]

Aquaritis, even though that wasn't the point of your post, I have thought of making my rivers more windy like that. I was recently getting directions on Google Maps and noted how squiggly, wiggly, and contorted a lot of real rivers are. Mine are kind of boring in contrast. But, clearly the elevation (and rockiness?) of the land has something to with that. I'll read more about river placement before I get too crazy.

Maybe my fault not said that i was mentioning your lake. Looks like the river is feeding the lake, like your map.