Oxbow Lake

An oxbow lake is a curved lake that forms when a river meanders. Over time, the river twists and turns, creating wide loops. Eventually, during floods or sediment buildup, the river may cut through the narrow neck of one of these loops, creating a new, straighter path. The abandoned loop then becomes isolated from the river, forming an oxbow lake. These lakes are often crescent-shaped and can be found in floodplains. They provide important habitats for wildlife and may eventually fill with sediment and vegetation, transforming into wetlands or marshes.