Question

how do oxbow lakes form?
○ rivers are dammed, and the water builds up, creating a lake.
○ runoff pools in areas of low elevation, creating a temporary lake.
○ rivers wear away banks until the bank is broken and the river flows straight.
○ glaciers leave deep channels in the ground, which fill with water and become a lake.

Explanation:

To determine how oxbow lakes form, we analyze each option:

• Option 1 (Rivers are dammed...): Damming creates reservoirs, not oxbow lakes. Eliminate.
• Option 2 (Runoff pools...): This describes temporary ponds from runoff, not oxbow lakes. Eliminate.
• Option 3 (Rivers wear away banks...): Oxbow lakes form when a river erodes its meander banks, causing the meander to be cut off, leaving a curved lake. This matches the process.
• Option 4 (Glaciers leave deep channels...): Glacial lakes (like kettle lakes) form this way, not oxbow lakes. Eliminate.

Answer:

The correct option is: Rivers wear away banks until the bank is broken and the river flows straight. (The third option in the list)