The geological process primarily responsible for creating oxbow lakes in Congaree Swamp is river meandering. As rivers flow, they erode the outer banks and deposit sediment on the inner banks, leading to the formation of curves or bends. Over time, these bends can become so pronounced that the river eventually cuts through the narrow neck of a meander, isolating a section of water and forming an oxbow lake. This dynamic process is influenced by the sedimentary environment and hydrology of the floodplain.
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