cut-off(ox bow) A section of a river channel that no longer carries the main discharge. Its abandonment results from meander development associated with lateral channel migration across a flood-plain. Channel length is shortened by contact at the neck of a loop, the remainder of which becomes separated.

cut-off (ox bow) Section of a river channel that no longer carries the main discharge. Its abandonment results from meander development associated with lateral channel migration across a floodplain. Channel length is shortened by contact at the neck of a loop, which becomes a cut-off.