Middle River Stage: River landforms in Lowland Area

& Meander Formation

What are Meanders? Loops in the river, and the lateral (sideways) erosion of the river channel results in the river forming a winding pattern. (Diagram 2.6i) As the water flows down a river, its speed is faster on the outside of the meander, which cause erosion. And it speeds slower on the inside of the meander, resulting deposition.

Meander Patterns

Meanders Ow-bow lake Topographic Map Satellite Image slows on the inside

Meander Formation: when the moving water in a river erodes the outer banks and widens its valley.

Ox-bow lake - a lake formed when the continued narrowing of a meander neck results in the eventual cut through of the neck as two outer bends join. This result in the straightening of the river channel and the old meander bend becomes cut off forming an ox-bow lake.

Ox-Bow Lake Formation: What are Ox-bow Lake? Truncated (cut off) section of a meander in the river channel which forms a 'c' shape. (Diagram) This is formed by the loops in a meander eroding the flood plain until eventually the loop in the meander is left cut off from the main river channel. Neck of the ox bow lake More loops due to the storm ‘C’`shape

Oxbow 4 Stages: Oxbow 4 Stages: Meander loops

Ox bow Lake Oxbow Lake!! Meanders Topographic Map Satellite Image

Bibliography: pg pg New Key Geography for GCSE (pg 8-9)