The separate strands of the Rakaia River wend toward the distant sea. Braided rivers form when sediment and gravel build up on the riverbed. Eventually the build-up becomes so high that the water, seeking the lowest path, begins to flow down a new channel. In this way the streams of a braided river are constantly moving across their wide bed.
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GNS Science
Reference:
CN38455/15
Photograph by Lloyd Homer
Permission of GNS Science must be obtained before any use of this image.
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