hydrosphere - oxbow lake model answer

oxbow lake

* over time meanders migrate across the valley floor due to erosion and deposition
* opposite meander bends may start to erode towards each other through hydraulic action abrasion and solution

oxbow lake 2

* erosion is dominant on the outer bank and deposition on the inner bank meaning the meander neck becomes progressively narrower
* over time the neck narrows so much that it is broken through so the river can find a more direct straight path

oxbow lake 3

* this happens during high discharge like a flood where the river has more energy
* the old meander neck is eventually sealed off due to deposition to form an oxbow lake

oxbow lake 4

* it is a horse shoe shaped lake adjacent from a river formed from both deposition and erosion
* the water is stagnant and in time the lake silts up forming a meander scar