MeandersLesson 8 – page 7

To learn what a meander is.To learn how meanders form.To learn how an ox-bow lake forms.

Key Skill = Communication

Lesson Aims

Water flows faster on the outside of bends.

Abrasion and hydraulic action causes erosion.

This causes undercutting of the bank.

This causes a steep river cliff.

• Water flows slower on the inside of bends.• The river

deposits its load.• This results in a

gentle bank of sand and gravel.• This is called a

point bar.

Point Bar

River Cliff

River Taff - Cilfynydd

River Cliff

Point Bar

Water Works

Draw a labelled sketch to show a meander.

How does a river cliff form?

How does a point bar form?

Activity

Meander Cross-Section

• Draw a labelled sketch to show a meander cross-section.

• Label where it will be deeper and why.

• Label where it will be shallower and why.

Activity

Ox-bow Lakes• Meanders become

more extreme.• This creates a

narrow neck of land.• Fast current erodes

the neck cutting off the meander.

• Meander is sealed off by deposition to create an ox-bow lake.

Draw an annotated sketch to show how sn ox-bow lake forms.

Homework Activity