noun
dried-up river; dry riverbed; wadi; arroyo
Refers to a river or stream that has dried up, often seasonally. The term 水無川 (みずなしがわ) is a near synonym.
See also: 水無川 (みずなしがわ)
夏になると、この涸れ川には水がまったく流れなくなる。
In summer, this dried-up river has no water flowing at all.
涸れ川の底には丸い石がたくさん転がっていた。
Many round stones were scattered on the bottom of the dry riverbed.
Very similar meaning; 水無川 often implies a river that is normally dry or has water only after rain, while 涸れ川 can refer to any river that has dried up.
Compound of 涸れ (kare, 'dried up', from verb 涸れる) + 川 (kawa, 'river'), with rendaku voicing to gawa.