Why do Rivers Curve?

Rivers become curvier and curvier until they bump into themselves. Then, lakes follow the route of least resistance and connect to form a straighter route. What’s left over is called an Oxbow lake… but they go by a lot of different names.

In Australia they are referred to as Billabongs; in South Texas, they are called resacas, sometimes they are called ‘horseshoe lakes’.

Do you have a special term for them in your country?

[kaylagolden]

if anyone is wondering, they give because:
Higher speed at outside corner of bend, causing erosion
Slower at inside bend, making deposition
It is deposited and eroded to a side, which makes it curve

[void]

"How do you grow seeds?"
"Well, the seeds grow bigger and bigger until they grow."

[dgc]

"Why do rivers curve?"
"To form oxbow lakes."

[powersupply]

"How are pencils made?"

"If you put too much pressure on your pencil, you'll break it in half, giving you two pencils to use."

[ethanleroux]

"Why do rivers curve?"
"Here's a lake"

[rayd]

"Why do rivers curve?"
"Rivers make oxbow lakes"

[hvzhtix]

The title:"why do rivers curve" the video:"explains something totally different"

[A]

"Why do rivers curve?"

"Because nothing is stopping it"

[Aditya_Kushwaha]

"How do rivers curve? "
"It curves"

*Understandable*

[Asmodeus]

In Sweden we call an oxbow lake "korvsjö" which translates to "sausage lake"

[slipperysnakelaw]

"why do rivers curve?"
"It makes an oxbow lake"

[Pavilion]

“Sooo... why do rivers curve?”
“That’s correct!”

[thatoneguy]

" what's the meaning of life? "
" Yes we are living "

[aayushi]

I remember i had to learn about Oxbow lakes in school and no matter what, i DID NOT understand it. I ended up eventually mugging up the meaning, this would've been so helpful back then

[Cooljayman]

Now, this made me wonder what happens if a river curves into one of these lakes.

[thletter]

Explanation: Any original curves grow due to water pushing against the outside bank and eroding the outside, and then water moving away from the inside bank depositing sediments.

[skie]

This doesnt say why it just says rivers do...

[Sillybirdy]

"sorry bob we have to left you beacuse of this straighter path"
"Awhh :("

[PhantomFilmAustralia]

"Water always follows the path of least resistance."
Bendy River: enters chat

[zacharyg]

“Why do rivers curve?”

“Because it wants to”