Oxbow Lakes

Question 1

Step 1

Answer 1

A meander starts as a slight bend water flows faster outside of the bend than on the inside

Question 2

Step 2

Answer 2

So the outside of the bend is eroded away. Material is deposited on the inner of the bend

Question 3

Step 3

Answer 3

This erosion and deposition turns the bend into a meander

Question 4

Step 4

Answer 4

The meander bends over more and more over the years until it becomes a really tight loop

Question 5

Step 5

Answer 5

When the water level is really high, the river has enough energy to straight across the loop rather than around it

Question 6

Step 6

Answer 6

This is called a meander cut off

Question 7

Step7

Answer 7

The river keeps to its new channel so the loop is left as an oxbow lake

Question 8

Step 8

Answer 8

After a long time the oxbow lake silts up and dries up and vegetation grows in it