River Erosion River Erosion

Landforms caused by rivers: Meanders Oxbow lakes Deltas Valleys Flood plains

Meanders A meander is a loop-like bend in the course of a river.

The water deposits sediment on the inside of the banks and carves away at the outside of the bank creating the meander.

Oxbow Lakes An oxbow lake is a meander that has been cut off from the rest of the river.

Deltas A delta is a landform built up of sediment deposited by a river into an ocean or lake.

The river is traveling quickly and can carry a load of sediment The river is traveling quickly and can carry a load of sediment. The ocean is not traveling as quickly and cannot carry the same load, so the load is dropped at the mouth of the river and results in a delta. Mississippi Delta

V-valley V-shaped valleys are carved out by rivers

A v-valley compared to a u-valley.

Flood Plains A flood plain is a flat area of land that has been eroded by flooding waters.