Oxbow lakes
Oxbow lakes
An oxbow lake is a U-shaped body of water formed when a wide meander from the main stem of a river is cut off to create a lake. This landform is called an oxbow lake for the distinctive curved shape that results from this process.An oxbow lake will slowly be created as soil erodes and re-deposits, changing the river's original course.
On the inside of the loop, the river travels more slowly leading to deposition of silt, while water on the outside edges tends to flow faster, eroding the outside banks.
Over time the loop of the meander widens until the neck vanishes altogether.
Eventually the bend becomes isolated from the river's path and a horseshoe shaped oxbow lake is formed.
Once the water stops flowing in the former river bed, sediment begins to build up in the lake. Eventually the lake will become a wetland, then a meadow, then trees will take root. In a process known as "succession," what was once river will one day become a forest.
On the inside of the loop, the river travels more slowly leading to deposition of silt, while water on the outside edges tends to flow faster, eroding the outside banks.
Over time the loop of the meander widens until the neck vanishes altogether.
Eventually the bend becomes isolated from the river's path and a horseshoe shaped oxbow lake is formed.
Once the water stops flowing in the former river bed, sediment begins to build up in the lake. Eventually the lake will become a wetland, then a meadow, then trees will take root. In a process known as "succession," what was once river will one day become a forest.
Source:wikipedia,http://www.nywetlands.com/oxbowlake.html
-Samantha lye
posted by Samantha lye:) @ 12:33 AM
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