Meanders and Oxbow lakes

Meander: a bend or curve in the river channel  

Oxbow lake: a horseshoe or semi circular area that used to be a meander. Oxbow lakes are cut off from a supply of water and so will eventually become dry. 

How do oxbow lakes form? 

• As water travels down the length of the river, it carries material with it
• Larger loads carried by the river hit the bed and banks, causing bits to break off. 
• As the river begins to meander, the outside bend is eroded via lateral erosion. 
• Material is deposited on the inside bend. This continues until the neck of both meanders meet. 
• The semi circular meander is eventually cut off when the river floods across the neck. 
• A oxbow lake is formed as it is cut off from the main river.