How is an oxbow lake formed?

The outside of a bend has faster flow, which means that erosion occurs there. Over time, this means that the neck of the meander, which is the gap between 2 parallel channels in the meander, gets narrower. When the river floods, it cuts through the neck of the meander, creating a new straight channel. What was the meander then becomes sealed up by deposition, leaving an oxbow lake.

WS
Answered by William S. Geography tutor

3283 Views

See similar Geography GCSE tutors

Related Geography GCSE answers

All answers ▸

How are ox-bow lakes formed?


Discuss the impacts of a storm event you have studied.


With reference to the diagram above, describe and comment on the precipitation in the urban environment (7 marks).


What are the climatic implications of the tri-cellular model of global atmospheric circulation?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning