Using a diagram, explain the mechanisms involved in migration of river meanders.

The width of the channel remains relatively constant, while the whole channel migrate laterally and become more sinuous. Sinuosity is described as the actual channel length divided by the straight-line distance.

If sinuosity becomes too great, the river in flood may be able to break through the meander neck, thereby straightening its channel. The abandoned channel, a cut-off, may be used during flood, but frequently the ends nearest the new course become blocked with alluvium and the channel becomes a small lake or oxbow lake.