Meander geometry or median planform geometry is engaged in the technical description of meanders.
The deposition process cuts off the original meander, leaving a horseshoe-like feature known as an oxbow lake. Thus the curvature of the pathway of river water flow increases, and the shape of the meander changes over time. Thus, during low flow conditions, straight river channels develop bars of sediment on their beds which leads to an eventual formation of deeper pathways which ultimately allow more flow of water and consequent formation of a sinusoidal flow of water.Īs a result of the erosion on the outside portion the bend of flowing river water, erosion occurs, coupled with deposition on the inside portion of the sinusoidal curve. Therefore, as water flows from the upper course of a river at very high energy, the impact it has on the landform on which the river is situated elicits erosional, transportation and deposition processes. Usually, the energy accompanying flow water in a river decreases progressively from the upper course of the river to the lowest course of the river. Meander gradients are usually more gentle and they experience lateral (sideways) erosions which widen the channel of the river at the middle and lower courses of a river. Meanders are typical landforms at the middle and lower courses of a river. The term ‘meander’ is one which refers to a winding curve or bend in a river.