What is referred to as the higher land above the valley walls?

• A. Drainage basin
• B. Interfluve
• C. Streamload
• D. Overflow

Answer: (B)

The higher land above the valley walls is referred to as an interfluve. This area serves as a separation between adjacent valleys, typically consisting of ridge or higher ground that flanks a lower valley floor. Interfluves play an important role in watershed management and hydrology, as they affect how water drains toward streams and rivers.

Drainage basins refer to the entire area of land where precipitation collects and drains into a common outlet, such as a river, which encompasses many features including interfluves. Streamload refers to the amount of sediment that a stream carries within its flow, which does not pertain to the geographical features of the landscape. Overflow generally describes the action of water spilling over the banks of a river or stream, rather than defining a physical feature of the landscape. Therefore, interfluve is the most accurate term for the higher land above the valley walls.