Which one of the following features is the result of erosion and deposition work of a river ?

An oxbow lake is a landform created by the combined action of fluvial erosion and deposition. The process begins with a meandering river where lateral erosion occurs on the outer (concave) bank, while deposition takes place on the inner (convex) bank [1][2]. Over time, continuous erosion narrows the neck of the meander loop [4]. During periods of high discharge or flooding, the river cuts through this narrow neck to follow a straighter path. Subsequent deposition of sediment eventually seals off the old meander loop from the new channel, leaving behind a crescent-shaped water body known as an oxbow lake [1][3]. In contrast, potholes and rapids are primarily erosional features formed in the upper course, while levees are purely depositional features formed when a river overflows its banks [5].

Sources

1. [1] FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: Landforms and their Evolution > Meanders > p. 51
2. [2] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 16: Fluvial Landforms and Cycle of Erosion > Maturity > p. 199
3. [4] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 16: Fluvial Landforms and Cycle of Erosion > Oxbow Lake > p. 200
4. [3] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 16: Fluvial Landforms and Cycle of Erosion > 16.2. Fluvial Depositional Landforms > p. 203
5. [5] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > 4. Fluvial Lakes > p. 28