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Our transcription: We're not altogether clear why meandering occurs, why it's such a common phenomenon. It probably has to do with the equalization of energy distribution as the flow moves down valley. By meandering the amount of work done by a stream in some unit of discharge is more or less constant. That seems to be a principle of nature to try to equalize the amount of work and minimize the amount of work at the same time it's being done. The Mississippi is a prime example of a meandering river. As the crow flies, the distance between New Orleans and Memphis is about 550 kilometers. By boat, it's over 1,000.
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