Multiple lines into one line

[MeredithGreen]

I have a streams line feature class that has multiple little line segments that create the streams on the map.  I need to create a 200ft buffer but with these little line segments everywhere I get several little buffers intersecting each other rather than one whole buffer.  How can I fix this problem?  A jpeg is attached to show what I am talking about.  Any help is greatly appreciated.

[DonovanCameron]

Meredith,

there are two ways to do this.

1.) Use the buffer tool like you did, but this time for the Dissolve option, set it to ALL.

2.) not recommended - Dissolve all your streams into a single line. Best to create a field in the streams attribute table all equal to the same thing, like all equal to 1. Then dissolve based on that field. Or just dissolve your already made buffers into one using the same method.