Why do rivers meander?

            Rivers usually meander when they flow over the plains. On the plains, the gradient is usually low and river has no preferred direction of flow. Its course is usually determined by local irregularities in the terrain and soil condition. In such a situation when the river bends in one direction, it tends to scoop out its outer bank and deposit silt on the inner bend. After scouring one bank the water is deflected towards the opposite bank which now starts getting eroded. The process continues with the river changing direction over short distances, giving rise to the familiar meanders.