In a meandering stream with a large sediment load, sediment deposition forms what feature on the interior of bends?

• A. On the outside of the curve
• B. In the channel bed
• C. In the middle of the stream
• D. On the inside of the curve

Answer: (D)

In a meandering river with lots of sediment, erosion tends to carve away the outer edge of a bend while deposition builds up along the inner edge. The outer bend experiences higher velocity and stronger erosion, creating a cut bank, whereas the inner bend has lower velocity due to secondary flow taking water toward the inside. That reduced energy allows sediment to settle out and accumulate on the channel bed, forming an elongated deposit known as a point bar. So, the interior of bends develops these point bars as sediment settles there, driven by the flow patterns that favor deposition on the inner curve.