A stream is a natural stream of water that regularly flows with continuity and its salient characteristic is the low flow it presents., which could even disappear during the dry season.
Low flow water current that does not normally allow navigation
Herein lies the main difference that a stream has with respect to a river, whose flow is much more important and constant, while then, in the case of the stream, the flow is short, although continuous. We can even assert that in the driest seasons of the year the streams can even disappear.
The stream, also called squat or broken, as it happens in some Spanish-speaking countries such as Honduras, Colombia, Panama and Nicaragua, it is not commonly a water current that allows the navigation of important vessels, with rare exceptions, when its size is considerable, above the average and in case of being mainly small boats.
Habitat of animal species and water source
Despite their low water flow and all the comments that we have made regarding their salient physical signs, we must say that streams are waters that tend to host a significant number of animal species, amphibians, fish and insects, among others. . Not to mention that they constitute a precious source of water for many individuals.
For example, it is that streams turn out to be fundamental and essential portions of water for the life of living beings on our planet, not only because many live in them but also because they feed on their waters.
Water is a fundamental substance for living species and therefore any exponent of them is extremely important to preserve and care for.
Ford of a stream. Characteristics
On the other hand, the ford of a stream will be that place of the stream that has a firm bottom and little depth through which you can walk without any problem, that is, it is not necessary to do it aboard any small boat and even in the Ford of a stream it is possible to bathe as one does in a river or in the sea. Although the recurring name is ford, there are some variations in its name, such as baths, spas or bathtubs, according to the geographical location of Latin America where you are, for example, in Colombia.
Likewise, as with rivers, streams can flow into a sea, a lake or even a river, in the latter case the stream would become a tributary of the same.
Although the conditions of a stream are those indicated, there are some exceptions in South America where there are actually many streams that could be confused with rivers due to the enormous flow they present and the possibility of navigability they offer.
Streams of water that come from excessive storm water in large cities
Also in South America the word is used to refer to those streams that come from the rain and that run through the main streets and roads of a city at great speed.
These "streams" in the middle of the street, of course, generate severe difficulties with regard to the mobility of pedestrians and vehicular traffic, and obviously also implies a certain insecurity for the physical integrity of people due to the risks that we know proposes to transit through. a city full of lights and other electrical elements that can conflict with water.
One of the dire consequences that climate change has brought are the strong storms that develop in many cities today. Meanwhile, this very important body of water that falls in a minimum time makes the infrastructure of the city not prepared to receive it and that is why many facilities collapse when receiving it and these "streams" are produced.
Liquid stream of something
On the other hand, the term stream is also used to refer to the stream of anything liquid. "Juan's farewell was a stream of tears."
Miserable context
And to refer to an environment or context in which poverty and marginalization prevail. This sense of the word is absolutely pejorative and is usually applied to talk about miserable places. "You can't ask for more of anything if you've been raised in a stream."
