<P> A meander is one of a series of regular sinuous curves, bends, loops, turns, or windings in the channel of a river, stream, or other watercourse . It is produced by a stream or river swinging from side to side as it flows across its floodplain or shifts its channel within a valley . A meander is produced by a stream or river as it erodes the sediments comprising an outer, concave bank (cut bank) and deposits this and other sediment downstream on an inner, convex bank which is typically a point bar . The result of sediments being eroded from the outside concave bank and their deposition on an inside convex bank is the formation of a sinuous course as a channel migrates back and forth across the down - valley axis of a floodplain . The zone within which a meandering stream shifts its channel across either its floodplain or valley floor from time to time is known as a meander belt . It typically ranges from 15 to 18 times the width of the channel . Over time, meanders migrate downstream, sometimes in such a short time as to create civil engineering problems for local municipalities attempting to maintain stable roads and bridges . </P> <P> The degree of meandering of the channel of a river, stream, or other watercourse is measured by its sinuosity . The sinuosity of a watercourse is the ratio of the length of the channel to the straight line down - valley distance . Streams or rivers with a single channel and sinuosities of 1.5 or more are defined as meandering streams or rivers . </P>

What is the name for the bend on a river where erosion occurs
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