Formation of Ox-bow lake

Meander

A bend in the river created by lateral erosion and deposition.

Outer bank erosion

Hydraulic action and abrasion erode the outside bend, forming a river cliff.

Inner bank deposition

Slower flow on the inside bend deposits sediment, forming a slip‑off slope.

Neck narrowing

Continued erosion on outer banks causes the meander neck to become narrower.

Neck cutoff

During high flow or flooding, the river breaks through the narrow neck.

Abandoned meander

The old meander loop is left isolated from the main channel.

Deposition sealing off

Sediment is deposited at both ends, cutting the loop off from the river.

Ox‑bow lake

The separated meander loop becomes a crescent‑shaped ox‑bow lake.

Infilling

Over time, the ox‑bow lake fills with silt and vegetation, becoming a marsh.