Population dynamics of a riverine landscape can be modelled as sequential events (discrete-time) or overlapping events (continuous-time). Even though both models have provided insights into riverine systems, it is rare to find studies that examine how the representation of time in population models affects the outcomes. This study compared discrete-time and continuous-time population models and the impact they have on the population dynamics of synthetic riverine networks. The study considered simulated equilibrium populations and population responses to a disturbance event that restricted movement between nodes at an intermediate time point. The relative difference among the population outcomes for three different topologies (dendritic, linear, and trellis) was consistent for both models regardless of whether the equilibrium population was higher or lower than the initial value. However, when the connectivity of the networks was altered, the two models showed notable differences in the post-disturbance population; the discrete-time model showed a higher impact on the population than the continuous model. Given that the discrete-time model assumes periodic changes in the population, a sudden change in connectivity between consecutive time steps might impact the dynamics more than in a continuous-time system where the population varies frequently. Even if continuous-time population models are considered to be more realistic for a given situation, a well-defined discrete-time model can be used as a parsimonious alternative. Since river ecosystems are inherently complex to model and discrete-time models can provide approximations to continuous-time systems, a discrete model may be a more computationally efficient approach to modelling.