A severed bend located upstream from Arkabutla Lake, outside of the zone of reservoir influence was selected as a lightly degraded reference. This bend is about 0.35 km long and 20 m wide and is subjected to more frequent connection with the river, with fully developed flow occurring during high river stages. The adjacent main channel is only slightly incised, in contrast to the other two study sites. However, sandy sediment deposits have partially filled the bend, causing it to be a series of small, isolated pools during periods of low river stage.