Question

Which of the following situations would result in a broad, vegetated floodplain?

Answer 1

Answer:

A meandering river carrying a high sediment load

Explanation:

Meandering rivers that carry large sediment loads are perfect for the formation of large floodplains. Because they are slow-moving, flash floods are much less likely than in more energetic rivers.

Meandering rivers are also found very far downstream as the river nears its delta and therefore bring many nutrients to the floodplain found on either side of the course of the river.

When a river leaves a meander that breaks off to form an oxbow lake that eventually dries up, this landform can be turned into fertile farmland.

Answer 2

Answer:

A: A meandering river carrying a high sediment load

This would result in a broad, vegetated floodplain.

Explanation:

Meandering rivers flow over gentle sloping grounds. There are continuous curves or bends across the landscape. As the river flows, it erodes large amount of sediments (mostly alluvium) from the outer curve of each bend and deposits the sediments in its inner curve of the bank.

Floodplains are formed when the meandering river erodes these sediments while moving downstream. It is basically an area adjacent to the stream of meandering river. They act as a natural filter and removes excessive sediments and nutrients which could degrade water quality. Such lands are very fertile.