Meanders
A bend or curve in a river that develops due to erosion and deposition.
Meander
A natural or artificial embankment along a river, formed by sediment deposition.
Levee
What is a delta?
A landform at a river’s mouth where sediment is deposited, forming new land.
What is lateral erosion?
Erosion that occurs on the sides of a river channel, widening it.
What is a floodplain?
A flat area of land near a river that floods periodically.
_______erosion on the outer bank and ________ on the inner bank
Lateral erosion and Deposition
How do natural levees form?
When a river overflows, heavier sediments settle near the banks, gradually building up over time.
Name a famous delta in the world.
The Nile Delta or the Mississippi Delta.
What is deposition in a river?
The process where the river drops sediment due to a loss of energy
How does a floodplain form?
Through repeated flooding and sediment deposition.
when a meander becomes more pronounced, the river cuts through the narrow neck, leaving behind a horseshoe-shaped lake.
Oxbow Lake
Why are levees important?
They help prevent flooding by acting as barriers along the riverbanks.
What are the three types of deltas?
Arcuate, bird’s foot, and cuspate.
What is an estuary?
The area where a river meets the sea, mixing fresh and saltwater.
Why are floodplains fertile?
Floods deposit nutrient-rich silt, making the soil good for farming.
Name two processes that contribute to the formation of an oxbow lake
Erosion (on the outer bank) and deposition (on the inner bank).
Name one advantage of levees.
Prevents flooding
What conditions are needed for a delta to form?
A river carrying a large sediment load, a shallow continental shelf, and weak tidal currents.
How do waterfalls differ from rapids?
Waterfalls have a steep drop, while rapids are fast-flowing, turbulent sections of a river.
What is a potential disadvantage of living on a floodplain?
Frequent flooding can damage homes and infrastructure.
What is the difference between a meander and an oxbow lake?
A meander is an active bend in a river, while an oxbow lake is a cut-off, isolated meander.
Name one disadvantage of levees.
Disadvantage – If breached, flooding can be more severe.
Name one use of deltas to humans.
agriculture, settlement
How do human activities impact river courses?
Activities like dam construction, deforestation, and urbanization can alter erosion, deposition, and flooding patterns.
How do humans modify floodplains for development?
By building levees, dams, and drainage systems to control flooding