Final answer:
A river valley is indicated by V-shaped contour lines on a topographic map, with the point of the V facing upstream. The direction of river flow is opposite to the point of the V.
Step-by-step explanation:
A river valley on a topographic map is indicated by V-shaped contour lines that have their point facing upstream, toward the river's source. The river flows in the direction opposite to the point of the V, meaning the wide part of the V indicates the downstream direction.
This V-shape is known as the rule of V's for topographic maps. When analyzing the map, one can also look for patterns that indicate the flow direction of a glacier, such as the orientation of drumlins, with the tapered end pointing in the direction the glacier was moving. Understanding these features is crucial for various practical applications like planning hikes, construction projects, or assessing geologic hazards.