The Upper Course
In the mountains, the river is small but powerful. It flows downhill with immense gravitational energy, vertically eroding the landscape to carve steep V-shaped valleys and majestic waterfalls.
The Middle Course
As the river reaches flatter land, it begins to meander laterally. The valley widens, and the river snakes back and forth, dramatically altering the landscape through constant erosion and deposition.
Formation of an Oxbow Lake
Explore how continuous meander erosion eventually cuts off a loop of the river forever.
1. The Narrow Neck
Over time, the outer bends of a meander continue to erode outwards. The neck of land between the two loops becomes incredibly narrow.
The Estuary
At the end of its journey, the massive, slow-moving river meets the sea. It deposits its remaining fine silt and mud, creating vast mudflats and salt marshes before finally draining into the ocean.