Meanders and Oxbow Lakes

Meanders and oxbow lakes are found in the middle course of a river. Discover how a meander forms and how this process can lead to an oxbow lake.

Earth Science - Geology - Learning Points.

At its middle course, a river gathers water volume and greater speed, causing lateral erosion.

Fluvial transportation occurs, as rocks and sediment are deposited along the riverbanks, creating meanders in the river's course.

Erosion is greater at the outside of the bend forming river cliffs, while silt is deposited on the slip-off slope opposite creating a loop or meander.

Over time the neck of the meander narrows and further deposition cuts the loop from the river forming an oxbow lake.

A Twig Context Film.
Reinforce and extend the learning required by the curriculum. Twig’s context films show abstract concepts in action in the real world.