[Jeff Head]

Out here in the west, a "drainage" is a valley or basin that is "drained" by a river or stream. Sometimes even if the stream is dry most of the year, it will be called a "drainage" because in the spring the valley or canyon, or entire system will "drain" the snow off from the surrounding mountains.

You could substitute valley or a system of valleys, or basin in for that word. Lots of times we will talk about going two or three "drainages" over when looking for game while hunting or otherwise out in the wilderness or mountainous areas.

Hope that helps.

[publana]

Thanks so much! So "drainage" isn't necessarily as ominous as it sounded. That's good news. Now if they'd just find the poor man.