Explain the Formation of an Oxbow Lake

Oxbow lakes are created where meanders are found on a river's long profile. On a meander bend, the fastest flow of water occurs on the outside bend, causing erosion, whilst the slowest flow is on the inside of the bend, causing deposition. Erosion on the outside bend causes the meander neck to narrow, until during periods of flood or high discharge, the river breaks through the neck, creating a straighter, easier channel for the river to flow through and creates an oxbow lake. Deposition over time causes the lake to be sealed off from the main channel of the river.