Dividing rule
Question: In the north-west of Scotland there is a place where a river
divides. Part of the water from Loch na h-Oidhche flows into Loch Gairloch and
part flows into Loch Maree. How can this happen? Surely water will flow in the
direction of the steepest descent and this direction is unique at every
point?
The more general point is why do some rivers divide (deltas are an obvious
example) and why is this branching pattern apparently stable? Even in flat
ground, should not one distributary win over the passage of time?
Answer: I was in the…
