What is the stream order of drainage basin?

Stream order is a method of classifying the hierarchy of streams within a drainage basin based on their size and connectivity. The system, developed by Horton and Strahler, assigns a numerical value to streams: first-order streams are the smallest, with no tributaries, while higher-order streams form when two streams of the same order converge. This classification helps in understanding the ecological and hydrological characteristics of a watershed. The stream order increases as streams merge, reflecting the complexity of the drainage network.