Drain vs. Creek — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 9, 2024
A drain is a man-made channel or pipe for directing unwanted water away, while a creek is a natural, narrow waterway that flows continuously or seasonally.
Difference Between Drain and Creek
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A drain is designed to carry excess water, typically from urban areas, buildings, or fields, and transport it to sewers or rivers. A creek, on the other hand, is a naturally occurring stream that can flow through forests, plains, or hills.
Drains are part of an engineered system, often hidden underground, that channels water efficiently. Creeks flow over the land and are influenced by natural factors like rainfall, geography, and soil.
Drains often receive runoff from stormwater, wastewater, or irrigation, and may contain pollutants. Creeks usually contain fresher water, supporting natural wildlife, but can also carry contaminants from nearby human activities.
Drains aim to reduce flooding or stagnation in populated areas, while creeks contribute to the natural water cycle, offering habitats for plants and animals.
Drains are typically constructed in urban or agricultural settings. Creeks are naturally formed in diverse environments, often changing course or flow rates based on seasonal weather.
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Comparison Chart
Type
Man-made channel
Natural waterway
Purpose
To direct excess water
Flows as part of the natural ecosystem
Water Quality
May contain runoff or pollutants
Usually fresher but can be affected too
Flow
Directed, continuous flow
Seasonal or continuous
Environment
Urban or agricultural
Natural landscapes
Compare with Definitions
Drain
A surface channel that collects rainwater from streets or fields.
The farm's drainage system prevented flooding in the fields.
Creek
A narrow waterway that connects to rivers or lakes.
The creek flows into the Mississippi River.
Drain
An outlet or device to remove liquid from a container or area.
The bathtub has a plug to stop water from going down the drain.
Creek
A small stream that flows naturally through the landscape.
The children enjoyed fishing in the nearby creek.
Drain
An engineered infrastructure for preventing water buildup.
The city installed more storm drains to manage flooding.
Creek
A habitat for freshwater wildlife and vegetation.
Frogs and turtles thrive in the creek's shallow waters.
Drain
A pipe or channel that carries away unwanted water.
The kitchen drain was clogged with grease.
Creek
A natural channel that may flow seasonally or year-round.
The creek dries up in summer but overflows during the spring.
Drain
A conduit that removes wastewater from buildings.
The building's drain system ensures no standing water remains.
Creek
A small body of flowing water distinct from larger rivers.
The creek provides water for livestock grazing on the hill.
Drain
To draw off (a liquid) by a gradual process
Drained water from the sink.
Creek
A member of a Native American people formerly inhabiting eastern Alabama, southwest Georgia, and northwest Florida and now located in central Oklahoma and southern Alabama. The Creek were removed to Indian Territory in the 1830s.
Drain
To cause liquid to go out from; empty
Drained the bathtub.
Drain the pond.
Creek
The Muskogean language of the Creek.
Drain
To draw off the surface water of
The Mississippi River drains a vast area.
Creek
A Native American confederacy made up of the Creek and various smaller southeast tribes.
Drain
To drink all the contents of
Drained the cup.
Creek
A member of this confederacy. In all senses also called Muskogee1.
Drain
To cause (a resource or supply of something) to be used up gradually and often completely.
Creek
A small stream, often a shallow or intermittent tributary to a river. Also called regionally branch, brook1, kill2, run.
Drain
To fatigue or spend emotionally or physically
The day's events drained me of energy.
Creek
A channel or stream running through a salt marsh
Tidal creeks teeming with shore wildlife.
Drain
(Sports) To put (a ball or shot) into a hole or basket, as in golf or basketball
Drained the putt for a birdie.
Creek
Chiefly British A small inlet in a shoreline, extending farther inland than a cove.
Drain
To flow off or out
Gasoline drained slowly from the tilted can.
Creek
(British) A small inlet or bay, often saltwater, narrower and extending farther into the land than a cove; a recess in the shore of the sea, or of a river; the inner part of a port that is used as a dock for small boats.
Drain
To become empty by the drawing off of liquid
Watched the tub slowly drain.
Creek
A stream of water (often freshwater) smaller than a river and larger than a brook; in Australia, also used of river-sized bodies of water.
Drain
To discharge surface or excess water
The Niagara River drains into Lake Ontario. When flooded, the swamp drains northward.
Creek
Any turn or winding.
Drain
To become gradually depleted; dwindle
Felt his enthusiasm draining.
Creek
A small inlet or bay, narrower and extending further into the land than a cove; a recess in the shore of the sea, or of a river.
Each creek and cavern of the dangerous shore.
They discovered a certain creek, with a shore.
Drain
A pipe or channel by which liquid is drawn off.
Creek
A stream of water smaller than a river and larger than a brook.
Lesser streams and rivulets are denominated creeks.
Drain
(Medicine) A device, such as a tube, inserted into the opening of a wound or body cavity to facilitate discharge of fluid or purulent material.
Creek
Any turn or winding.
The passages of alleys, creeks, and narrow lands.
Drain
The act or process of draining.
Creek
A natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river);
The creek dried up every summer
Drain
A gradual outflow or loss; consumption or depletion
The drain of young talent by emigration.
Creek
Any member of the Creek Confederacy (especially the Muskogee) formerly living in Georgia and Alabama but now chiefly in Oklahoma
Drain
Something that causes a gradual loss
Interruptions that are a drain on my patience.
Drain
A conduit allowing liquid to flow out of an otherwise contained volume; a plughole UK
The drain in the kitchen sink is clogged.
Drain
An access point or conduit for rainwater that drains directly downstream in a (drainage) basin without going through sewers or water treatment in order to prevent or belay floods.
Drain
Something consuming resources and providing nothing in return.
That rental property is a drain on our finances.
Drain
(vulgar) An act of urination.
Drain
(electronics) One terminal of a field effect transistor (FET).
Drain
(pinball) An outhole.
Drain
A drink.
Drain
(intransitive) To lose liquid.
The clogged sink drained slowly.
Drain
(intransitive) To flow gradually.
The water of low ground drains off.
Drain
To cause liquid to flow out of.
Please drain the sink. It's full of dirty water.
Drain
To convert a perennially wet place into a dry one.
They had to drain the swampy land before the parking lot could be built.
Drain
(transitive) To deplete of energy or resources.
The stress of this job is really draining me.
Drain
(transitive) To draw off by degrees; to cause to flow gradually out or off; hence, to exhaust.
Drain
To filter.
Drain
To fall off the bottom of the playfield.
Drain
To drink.
Drain
To draw off by degrees; to cause to flow gradually out or off; hence, to cause the exhaustion of.
Fountains drain the water from the ground adjacent.
But it was not alone that the he drained their treasure and hampered their industry.
Drain
To exhaust of liquid contents by drawing them off; to make gradually dry or empty; to remove surface water, as from streets, by gutters, etc.; to deprive of moisture; hence, to exhaust; to empty of wealth, resources, or the like; as, to drain a country of its specie.
Sinking waters, the firm land to drain,Filled the capacious deep and formed the main.
Drain
To filter.
Salt water, drained through twenty vessels of earth, hath become fresh.
Drain
To flow gradually; as, the water of low ground drains off.
Drain
To become emptied of liquor by flowing or dropping; as, let the vessel stand and drain.
Drain
The act of draining, or of drawing off; gradual and continuous outflow or withdrawal; as, the drain of specie from a country; the project is a drain on resources.
Drain
That means of which anything is drained; a channel; a trench; a water course; a sewer; a sink.
Drain
The grain from the mashing tub; as, brewers' drains.
Drain
Emptying accomplished by draining
Drain
Tube inserted into a body cavity (as during surgery) to remove unwanted material
Drain
A pipe through which liquid is carried away
Drain
A gradual depletion of energy or resources;
A drain on resources
A drain of young talent by emmigration
Drain
Flow off gradually;
The rain water drains into this big vat
Drain
Deplete of resources;
The exercise class drains me of energy
Drain
Empty of liquid; drain the liquid from;
We drained the oil tank
Drain
Make weak;
Life in the camp drained him
Common Curiosities
Can creeks dry up completely?
Yes, creeks can dry up seasonally, especially in arid regions.
Can a drain carry wastewater?
Yes, drains can carry wastewater from sinks or appliances, as well as stormwater.
Do creeks flow into rivers?
Yes, creeks often feed into rivers, lakes, or other larger bodies of water.
Are creeks found in cities?
Yes, some urban areas have natural creeks flowing through parks or neighborhoods.
Is a drain part of a sewer system?
It can be. Drains often lead to sewers for final treatment or discharge.
Do drains attract wildlife?
Generally not, due to low water quality and lack of habitat.
Are creeks safe to drink from?
It's best to purify creek water first, as it may carry contaminants.
Is a drain always underground?
No, some drains are open channels for surface runoff.
Is a drain required for all buildings?
Most buildings have drainage systems to prevent flooding or water damage.
Can creeks change course over time?
Yes, creeks can naturally change course due to erosion or flooding.
What materials are drains made of?
Drains can be made of PVC, cast iron, concrete, or steel.
How do creeks form naturally?
Creeks form through erosion and the natural flow of rainwater over time.
Is a drain different from a sewer?
Yes, drains collect water from buildings or roads, while sewers carry wastewater to treatment facilities.
Do creeks have tides like rivers?
Not usually, but some creeks near the coast may be affected by tides.
What are storm drains for?
Storm drains collect rainwater from roads and roofs to prevent flooding.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
