Summary

The oxbows of Merkys and its tributaries

Aldona Baubinienė

The Merkys River and its tributaries Šalčia and Verseka in the area of Valkininkai are notable for abundance and variety of oxbows, which, if compared to larger water bodies, are less investigated in Lithuania. Based on expedition investigations, literary data and analysis of maps, the paper deals with the oxbows of the rivers in the area of the former Valkininkai with the description of their origin, distribution, size and shape.

The main goal of the study was to identify (taking into account the changes in geographical situation and environment) and define the oxbows in the valleys of the running rivers as an important part of the local landscape structure.