River Deposition and Landforms

Welcome! This page explores river deposition—the process by which rivers deposit sediments—and the fascinating fluvial landforms that result. Whether you’re a student, educator, or enthusiast, you’ll find valuable information and an interactive quiz to test your knowledge.

What is River Deposition?

River deposition occurs when a river loses energy and drops the sediment it has been carrying. This usually happens when the river slows down, such as on the inside bends of meanders, at the base of mountains, or at the river’s mouth. Over time, these deposits form distinctive landforms.

Major Landforms Created by River Deposition

• Deltas: Formed at the mouth of a river where it meets a standing body of water, like the sea. Example: Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta.
• Floodplains: Flat areas alongside rivers, built up by sediments deposited during floods.
• Levees: Raised riverbanks formed by the deposition of heavier sediments during overbank flooding.
• Oxbow Lakes: U-shaped lakes formed when a meander is cut off from the main river.
• Alluvial Fans: Fan-shaped deposits at the base of mountains where a river spreads out and loses speed.
• Point Bars: Deposits on the inside bends of meandering rivers.

Image: Formation of meanders and oxbow lakes (Wikipedia)

Learn More

• National Geographic: River
• Britannica: River

Quiz: Test Your Knowledge on River Deposition

Time Left: 10:00

1. Which landform is formed due to river deposition? (2016)

a) Gorge
b) Meander
c) Delta
d) Waterfall

2. An oxbow lake is formed due to: (2018)

a) Glacial activity
b) Volcanic eruption
c) River meandering
d) Tectonic movements

3. Which of the following is a depositional feature of a river? (2017)

a) Canyon
b) Alluvial fan
c) Cliff
d) Gorge

4. Floodplains are formed by: (2019)

a) Wind erosion
b) Glacial activity
c) River deposition during floods
d) Volcanic activity

5. Which landform is created by the deposition of sediments at the base of a mountain? (2022)

a) Delta
b) Alluvial fan
c) Meander
d) Oxbow lake

6. The formation of natural levees is due to: (2021)

a) Wind deposition
b) River deposition during floods
c) Glacial movement
d) Earthquakes

7. Which of the following features is not formed by river deposition? (2015)

a) Delta
b) Meander
c) Cliff
d) Floodplain

8. Braided rivers are characterized by: (2023)

a) Single channel
b) Multiple interweaving channels
c) Underground flow
d) Absence of sediment deposition

9. Which of the following is a feature formed by river deposition? (2020)

a) V-shaped valley
b) Waterfall
c) Point bar
d) Gorge

10. The Ganges-Brahmaputra delta is an example of: (2024)

a) Arcuate delta
b) Bird's foot delta
c) Cuspate delta
d) Estuarine delta

11. Natural levees are most likely to be found: (2016)

a) In desert regions
b) Along the sides of a river channel
c) At the river's source
d) In mountainous areas

12. Which process leads to the formation of a floodplain? (2018)

a) Wind erosion
b) Tectonic activity
c) River deposition during floods
d) Volcanic eruption

13. Which of the following is a depositional feature formed by a river? (2017)

a) Waterfall
b) Meander
c) Gorge
d) Cliff

14. Oxbow lakes are associated with: (2020)

a) Glacial activity
b) River meandering
c) Wind erosion
d) Tectonic uplift

15. Which landform is created by the deposition of sediments at the mouth of a river? (2025)

a) Delta
b) Canyon
c) Plateau
d) Basin

Quiz Results

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For more on river processes, see our River Erosion and Landforms page.