---
title: "Short note: Ox-bow lake"
subject: "Engineering Geology I"
chapter: 6
key: "semester_3/engineering_geology_i:short-note-oxbow-lake"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/engineering_geology_i/short-note-oxbow-lake
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Short note: Ox-bow lake

Engineering Geology I · Chapter 6: Physical Geology

- Asked in: 2062 Baisakh (old course), 2 marks
- Video: [What is an Oxbow Lake |Point bar|Formation,Importance of an Oxbow Lake|River work|Physical geography](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpA1VUf6Fl8) — SS Tutorial
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/engineering_geology_i/short-note-oxbow-lake
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_3/engineering_geology_i/chapter-6

## Question

Write a short note on ox-bow lake.

## Short answer

An ox-bow lake is a crescent-shaped lake formed when a meander loop is cut off from the main stream. During a flood, the river cuts through the narrow neck of the loop; deposits seal the ends, leaving a lake.

## Answer

An **ox-bow lake** is a crescent-shaped lake formed when a meander loop of a river is cut off from the main stream.

1. In the old stage, a meander bends more and more as the outer bank is eroded and deposits build up on the inner bank.
2. During a flood, the river cuts through the narrow neck of the loop (neck cut-off).
3. Deposits seal the ends of the abandoned loop, leaving a lake.

```text
    ____            ____
   /    \          /    \
  ( loop )  ->   river    (ox-bow)
   \____/       cut-off
```

It slowly fills with silt and becomes a swamp or meander scar. In the Terai, such areas have soft, wet soil.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. An ox-bow lake is:
   A. Crescent-shaped lake from a cut-off meander
   B. Lake in cirque
   C. Lake in crater
   D. Sea lagoon
   Answer: A. Formed in old stage. (Key point: Shape)

2. The cut-off occurs when:
   A. Glacier melts
   B. In a flood the river cuts through the narrow neck of the loop
   C. Wind erodes
   D. Landslide dams
   Answer: B. Deposits then seal the ends. (Key point: Cause)

3. Over time an ox-bow lake:
   A. Grows into a sea
   B. Becomes a gorge
   C. Fills with silt, becoming swamp or meander scar
   D. Becomes a delta
   Answer: C. Terai areas show soft wet soil. (Key point: Fate)