Random-walk Model of Stream Network Development

A random-walk, headward-growth model of stream network development in a region of uniform lithology and uniform slope is proposed. The principal difference from previous models is that the probability of growth is made dependent on the area contributing runoff to the stream tip. Two versions of the model have been studied in detail and shown to give satisfactory results. A major advantage is that all of the important network variables, including drainage density and outlet density, come naturally out of the simulation processes.