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Acut bank, also known as ariver cliff orriver-cut cliff, is the outsidebank of a curve (meander) in a waterchannel (stream), which is continually undergoingerosion.[1] Cut banks are found in abundance along mature or meandering streams, they are located opposite theslip-off slope on the inside of the stream meander. They are shaped much like a smallcliff, and are formed as the stream collides with the river bank. It is the opposite of apoint bar, which is an area ofdeposition of material eroded upstream in a cut bank.
Typically, cut banks are steep and may be nearly vertical. Often, particularly during periods of high rainfall and higher-than average water levels, trees and poorly placed buildings can fall into the stream due tomass wasting events. Given enough time, the combination of erosion along cut banks and deposition along point bars can lead to the formation of anoxbow lake.
Not only are cut banks steep and unstable, they are also the area of a stream where the water is flowing the fastest and often deeper. Ingeology, this is known as an area of "high-energy".
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| Alluvial rivers | |
| Bedrock river | |
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