The primary difference between a river and a creek lies in their size and the volume of water they carry. A river is generally larger and has a higher volume of water flow compared to a creek. Creeks are smaller watercourses, often serving as tributaries to rivers or other larger bodies of water. Additionally, rivers are more likely to have a wider, deeper channel, whereas creeks typically have shallower, narrower channels. The terms used to describe watercourses can vary depending on regional preferences, and in some cases, creeks might be referred to as brooks or streams.