Oxbow on the Columbia

Columbia River & Wetlands April 29,2013 - by Larry Halverson

One of the best examples of an Oxbow on the Columbia River can be seen from the view points on the mile hill at Radium Hot Springs.

Oxbows are formed when a river creates a meander by river's eroding the bank through hydraulic action. After a long time, the meander becomes very curved, and eventually the neck of the meander will become narrower and the river will cut through the neck usually at flood time.

After the river finds a different, shorter, course. The meander becomes an oxbow lake along the side of the river.

It would make an interesting photo story if pictures were taken of this process over time.