Meander Pattern Influences

Meander pattern can present information on the nature of the Floodplain as well as the channel.

Flood forecasters might note that a laterally confined Meander, shown for example in this image, indicates a possible Floodplain control. Tortuous Meanders may suggest that after a disturbance the channel will evolve to form oxbow cutoffs.

Regular Meanders, tortous Meanders, irregular Meanders, and truncated Meanders are illustrated in the left column. Unconfined Meander scrolls, confined Meander scrolls, distorted Meander scrolls, and irregular with oxbows or oxbow cutoffs are in the right column.

Image courtesy of Rosgen