Depositional Features of Rivers

When a river loses its velocity and energyEnergy is the ability to do work. Energy exists in several forms such as heat, kinetic or mechanical energy, light, potential energy, and electrical energy. Units of Energy: The SI unit... More, deposition of the materials it carries occurs. In the process of depositing these materials, certain features are formed. Some of the features produced as a result of deposition by a river are;

• Ox-bow lakes
• Floodplains and Levees
• Deltas
• Braided Streams

Ox-bow Lake:

An oxbow lake is a U-shaped or curved lake that forms when a wide meanderA meander is a winding curve or bend in a river. It is formed by a combination of erosional and depositional processes. Meanders are most commonly found in the middle and... More from a river is cut off from the main channel or river flow, forming a lake. This happens as erosion and deposition cause the river to create a new, straighter path, leaving the old meander loop behind as a separate water body. These bends are often called bayous or cut-offs . Oxbow lakes are commonly found in the lower course of a river, especially in flat or marshy areas . Examples include oxbow lakes along the Mississippi and Mekong Rivers, as well as the River Trent in Great Britain.

Mode of Formation:

As a river moves across a valley, it begins to meander , eroding sideways (laterally).

• On the outer bend of the meander, most of the water flows quickly with less friction and