© 2019 av Johan Hammar

14 times around the earth! 

This is how far Sweden’s natural water courses would stretch  

if you lay them end to end around the earth.  

When the water winds its way through the landscape  

the watercourse is said to meander.  


On the outer edge of the meander, the water runs faster  

and collects sand and clay from the riverbank.  

This is called erosion. The water is deeper here.  

After a bend, the water flows more slowly.  

The sand and clay carried by the water drop to the bottom  

and the water becomes shallower.  


The variation in habitats in a meandering watercourse  

is positive for biodiversity.