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to Point of Interest Road
Signs! A
collection of photos of road and trail signs. Click
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The
Oxbow Bend
Location
of sign - Grand Teton National Park - US 287 between Jackson Lake
Junction and Moran Junction.
Photo
taken May 2008
Close-up
view of sign
Wide
view of sign
Text
of sign:
The
Oxbow Bend
Formation
of an Oxbow
An
oxbow named for the curved shape of an ox yoke, occurs when a river bypasses
a meander. The oxbow begins
as a
gentle curve in the river channel. The curve develops into a U-shaped
meander. The curve causes the meander to grow.
Finally
the meander becomes so large that the main channel cuts across the loop,
forming an oxbow.
Riparian
Habitat
The
course of a river constantly changes, altering the vegitation patterns and
the habitats along its banks. Plants thrive in the
sediment
and shallow waters of this oxbow, which is still fed by the Snake
River. Oxbow Bend is one of Grand Teton National
Park's
richest habitats. It provides food, water, shelter and nesting sites
for a variety of wildlife species.
Moose
browse on willow and tender water plants. Mergansers, teal and white
pelicans find abundant food; otters swin and dive
playfully.
Near their nests, ospreys soar over the water in search of fish.
Beavers gnaw saplings for their river bank lodges. In the
quiet
backwater, cutthroat trout rise to the surface, and great blue herons fish
silently in the shallows.
Description
of graphics on sign:
In
addition to the text the sign features a picture of an Ariel view of the
Snake River and Oxbow Bend. A graphic showing the
formation
of an oxbow and pictures of the various animals described are displayed on
the sign.
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