Why Does a River Dig Deeper on the Outside of a Bend?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why does a river dig deeper on the outside of a bend?

The Big Idea

A river digs deeper on the outside of a bend because the water there flows faster! The faster water scrapes and wears away the bank. That makes the bank steep and the water deep.

Outside Is Longer

Step one: the outside is farther. When a river turns, the water on the outside of the curve has farther to go. So it flows faster.

Bank Wears Away

Step two: the bank wears away. The fast water scrapes at the bank and carries bits away. That wearing away is called erosion, and it leaves a steep bank and deep water.

Inside Builds Up

Step three: the inside builds up. On the inside of the bend, the water is slow and drops sand and pebbles. This builds a gentle beach called a point bar.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look at a bend! The outside of the curve has fast water. It carves a steep bank and a deep channel. The inside of the curve has slow water. It drops sand and builds a gentle point bar. Steep on one side, gravel on the other.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Steep banks on one side and gravel bars on the other show where a bend is. Erosion is the wearing away of soil and rock. Over time, a bend can slowly move across the valley. Stay back from steep banks, and stay with a grown-up.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Bend a trough of paper into a curve. With a grown-up, run a thin stream of water through it over a sink. Watch where the water speeds up. Watch where it drops sand. You just made a river bend!

Outro

Fast water digs deep on the outside of a bend. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!