How do oxbow lakes typically form?

Oxbow lakes typically form through the meandering process of rivers. As a river flows, it often erodes the outer banks of curves while depositing sediment on the inner banks, allowing the bends to become more pronounced over time. Eventually, during a significant flood or due to continued erosion, a meander may get cut off from the main flow of the river. The water left in the bend that is no longer connected to the river creates a crescent-shaped lake, known as an oxbow lake.

This process is particularly characteristic of mature river systems where the river's meandering is pronounced. In contrast, freezing of river water in winter, sediment build-up creating new land, and impacts of flooding events do not directly lead to the formation of oxbow lakes. While sediment can play a role in river dynamics and flooding can influence river patterns, it is the specific cutting off of a meander that defines the formation of oxbow lakes.