Draw (terrain)

A draw, sometimes known as a re-entrant in orienteering, is a terrain feature formed by two parallel ridges or spurs with low ground in between them. The area of low ground itself is the draw, and it is defined by the spurs surrounding it. Draws are similar to valleys on a smaller scale; however, while valleys are by nature parallel to a ridgeline, a draw is perpendicular to the ridge, and rises with the surrounding ground, disappearing up-slope. It is usually etched in a hillside by water flow, is usually dry, but many contain an ephemeral stream or loose rocks from eroded rockfall.

Example on a topographical map, and how it would look in the real world.

Typical draw, Little Carpathians

In a draw the ground always slopes downward in only one direction, and upward in the other three.^[1][2] The slope on a draw is generally quite sharp, with a clearly established fall line and characterized by a generally steep vertical drop over a short horizontal distance.

See also

• Arroyo (watercourse) – Dry watercourse with flow after rain
• Canyon / Gorge – Deep chasm between cliffs
• Chine – Steep-sided river valley
• Couloir – Steep, narrow mountain gully
• Defile (geography) – Narrow pass or gorge between mountains or hills
• Gully – Landform created by running water and/or mass movement eroding sharply into soil
• Mountain pass – Route through a mountain range or over a ridge
• Riparian zone – Interface between land and a river or stream
• Salient (military) – Battlefield front breakthrough progressing into enemy territory
• Transverse valley – Low-lying area deeply interrupting a mountain chain

References

1. "FM3-25.26 CHPTR 10 ELEVATION AND RELIEF".
2. "Draw (Minor Terrain Feature)".