What Is a Meandering Stream?

Geomorphologists classify streams in three broad categories: straight, meandering and braided. The meandering stream wanders laterally across a channel, often on a gentle slope. It has many meanders, or bends and is intermediately stable. These streams contribute to a healthy environment.

  1. Value

    • Meandering streams are the home of diverse habitats that are bountiful for wildlife and plant life. Many restoration efforts are directed at creating meandering streams, which also reintroduces wetlands and allows the associated biodiversity.

    Considerations

    • Humans often create straight streams when they put in construction projects or channel water. This can lead to drying of the soil, and the elimination of animal and plant species. Some scientists have tried to limit fine sediment as they attempt to recreate meanders, since the sediment covers the eggs of spawning fish. Recent experiments, however, show sediment is vital to a meandering stream.

    Fun Fact

    • University studies are attempting to replicate creation of a meandering stream, so restoration projects can be more successful and to reintroduce diverse habitats to previously dried-out areas. A study in 2009 used alfalfa, small beads of plastic and sand to recreate the creation of a meandering stream, and find the stabilization type needed on the banks and how much sediment contributed to the formation of meanders.