Bar (river morphology)

A bar is like a bump or a hill in a river. Just like how you might put some sand or dirt in a pile on the ground, sometimes the water in a river will do the same thing and make a pile of sand or gravel in the river.

This pile of sand or gravel can make a shallow area in the river where the water is not as deep. It can also change the way the water flows in the river. Sometimes the water will go around the bar and sometimes it will go over it.

Fish and other animals in the river might swim around the bar or hide behind it because the water is moving slower there. But sometimes boats might get stuck on the bar if the water is too shallow.