oxbowsjöar

Oxbowsjöar, also known as oxbow lakes, are U-shaped bodies of water that form when a meander in a river is cut off from the main stream. This process typically occurs during periods of high water flow, when the river erodes the outer banks of the meander, causing it to bend more sharply. Eventually, the meander becomes so narrow that it is cut off from the main river, forming an oxbow lake. These lakes are characterized by their crescent shape and are often found in floodplains. Oxbowsjöar can vary in size from small ponds to large lakes, and they can remain as permanent features or fill in over time, depending on the local geology and hydrology. They are important habitats for various species of plants and animals, and their formation is a significant process in the evolution of river systems.