Oxbow lakes are formed when a river breaks through a meander loop, cutting off the loop and forming an isolated lake, and over time deposition seals off the lake from the main river channel, eventually causing the oxbow lake to dry up and leave a meander scar on the landscape.

1. Oxbow lakes Meander loops

2. Oxbow lakes River breaks through meander neck

3. Oxbow lakes oxbow lakes formed river course becomes straighter over time

4. Oxbow lakes deposition eventually seals off the lake from the main river channel

5. Oxbow lakes oxbow lakes dry up leaving meander scars

6. Original picture http://www.alyeska-pipe.com/Photolibrary/KanutiRiver.html