How do the contour lines show the direction of the flow of rivers and streams?

Rivers and streams are shown on the map with blue colour. Generally water flows from higher altitude to lower altitude. Since the contours indicate the elevation of land, we can use them to find the direction of a river or stream.

The rivers and streams usually flow from contours representing greater elevations to contours representing lower elevations. The course of a well-developed river can be divided into three stages - upper, middle and lower course; each of which can be recognised with the help of contour lines.