1. River Systems Part 2 Features of a Meandering River Levees
Shaping of River Channels

2. Running Water The Work of Streams
When a stream meanders, its zone of maximum speed shifts toward the outer bank. A point bar is deposited where the water on the inside of a meander slows. Here we see erosion of a cut bank . By eroding the outer bank and depositing material on the inside of the bend, a stream is able to shift its channel.

3. Formation of a cutoff and oxbow lake

4. Oxbow lakes occupy abandoned meanders
Oxbow lakes occupy abandoned meanders. As they fill with sediment, oxbow lakes gradually become swampy meander scars.

5. Erosion and deposition along a meandering stream
Figure 5.10

6. This distinct meander loop on the Colorado River will eventually lead to an oxbow lake.

7. Formation of Natural Levees by Repeated Flooding
Rivers and Streams
Formation of Natural Levees by Repeated Flooding
Figure 5.21

8. A stream valley’s sides are shaped by three processes:
Rivers and Streams
A stream valley’s sides are shaped by three processes:
weathering
overland flow
mass wasting

9. A Narrow, V-Shaped Valley
Some characteristics of narrow valleys
v-shaped channels
down-cutting toward base level
rapids
waterfalls
Figure 5.17 A

10. Continued erosion and deposition widens a valley
Figure 5.17 B

11. Features often include
A Wide, U-Shaped Valley
Some characteristics of wide valleys:
stream is near base level
downward erosion is less dominant
stream energy is directed from side to side
floodplain
Features often include
meanders
cutoffs
oxbow lakes