The two diagrams compare the Blackstone River area before and after a flood.
Overall, the flood significantly altered the river’s shape. The channel became much straighter, and the former loop of the river was cut off and turned into an oxbow lake. The surrounding land also shows clear signs of erosion and deposition.
Before the flood, the river followed a strongly winding course with a large meander. In the middle of the area, the river curved around an “oxbow” section but was still connected to the main flow. Trees and rocks were scattered along the banks, and a residential area with several houses was located on the right-hand side, relatively close to the river.
After the flood, the main river appears to have broken through the bend and formed a new, more direct channel along the left side. The old meander was isolated and is labelled as an oxbow lake. In addition, a wider, disturbed floodplain can be seen, with fewer trees and more exposed ground near the river, while the housing area remains.