What is likely to happen when a river loses energy during a flood?

When a river loses energy during a flood, it typically results in the deposition of its load. This occurs because the river's flow slows down, reducing its capacity to carry sediment, debris, and other materials that have been transported along its course. As the water's energy diminishes, it can no longer keep these materials suspended, leading to the sediment settling at the bottom of the river or being deposited on the banks and floodplains.

This process is crucial in shaping river landscapes and creating features such as floodplains and delta formations. During periods of high flow, like floods, rivers are capable of carrying larger amounts of sediment. However, once the flood recedes and energy decreases, the river relinquishes some of its load, contributing to the geophysical changes in the environment surrounding it.