Point Bar: The Sediment Deposit Inside a River Meander

A point bar is the crescent-shaped deposit of sediment (sand, gravel, silt) that accumulates on the inner bank of a river meander.

Formation Process

1. Flow deceleration: Water velocity drops on the inside of a bend due to centrifugal force pushing flow outward.
2. Sediment deposition: Reduced competence causes the river to drop its bedload.
3. Lateral accretion: Layers build incrementally as the meander migrates, creating cross-bedded strata.

Associated Features

• Often found inside oxbow lakes (cut-off meanders).
• Counterpart: cut bank (erosional outer bank).
• Indicates meander migration direction and paleoflow.

Point bars are key reservoirs for groundwater and hydrocarbons, and vital habitat for riparian vegetation.