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Landform Features of a River

Resulting from erosion and deposition … continued

2. Features from erosion and deposition: Meanders and Oxbow Lakes

• Video here

• Meander on a map

Water is pushed to the outer bend . This reduces friction with the bed and banks. So the river has more energy for transporting material which can erode the outside bank via abrasion.

Meanders

As the course of a river approaches its middle stages it flows over flatter land. Lateral erosion dominates as the river swings in large bends known as meanders. Meanders constantly change their shape and position.

RIVER CLIFF

SLIP OFF SLOPE

Meander in 3D

Meander from above

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Meander Cross Section Copy out the diagram below and fill in the correct words next to the numbers.

Oxbow lakes

Ox bow lakes

Video here

2. Features from erosion and deposition: Oxbow Lakes

1. Meander formed through erosion and deposition. A slip off slope develops on the inside of the meander (due to deposition) and a river cliff on the outside (due to undercutting)

2. During periods of flooding the meander neck is breached and the water takes the fastest route across the meander.

2. Features from erosion and deposition: Oxbow Lakes

3. Erosion (Hydraulic action especially) continues and the neck is finally breached. Deposition begins in the old meander.

4. Deposition continues and eventually a lake is formed that is totally cut off from the river channel – an oxbow lake.