But they represent precarious locations for development. The Red River Valley is underlain by a thick wedge of fine-grained sediments, whose engineering strengths are exceptionally low. Rivers that flow across unconsolidated, fine-grained sediments tend to meander. Such is the case, of course, with the Red River of the North. Due to its extensive meander belt, the Red River's path northward from Wahpeton to Pembina is about twice as long as a straight-lined path.
Meanders are dynamic features.
Map and cross-sectional views of a typical meander loop on the Red River. Thus, the outside of a meander generally represents a region of active erosion, where cliffs or cutbanks develop. While these areas may present desirable views onto the river, they are also prone to failure and mass wasting. The development of meanders is a natural operation of such rivers. After witnessing decades of futile projects involving channel straightening, most geologists and engineers appreciate that a river has a need to meander.