Oxbow Lake

Question 1

What is an oxbow lake

Answer 1

A curved lake formed from a horseshoe bend in a river where the main stream has cut across the narrow end

Question 2

What processes cause an oxbow lake

Answer 2

Deposition- builds up on the inside of the bend.
Lateral erosion- on the banks on the outside of the bend.
They occur in the middle course as there is more energy and a high volume of water.

Question 3

How is an oxbow lake formed

Answer 3

The gap between the two arms if the river are narrowed by erosion, the river breaks through the narrow gap during a time of high discharge, finally the current along the straighter path becomes dominant and the abandoned meander becomes an isolated oxbow lake.

Question 4

Diagram of an oxbow lake

Answer 4

Look in folder

Question 5

Example of an oxbow lake

Answer 5

Lake chicot (north america) formed 600 years ago from the meander in the Mississippi river. It is 21-22 miles long.