Where Do River Meanders Form?

Meanders develop in a river's middle and lower courses, where the gradient is gentle and sediment load is high. In these reaches, water flows in sinuous bends: erosion cuts the outer banks (cut banks), while deposition builds point bars on the inner bends. Over time, this feedback loop amplifies the curves, creating the classic meandering pattern. Floodplains and oxbow lakes are common associated features.