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. 14 . . Although gravel mining may be unsightly along a green belt, the gravel is a necessary resource. In areas where the gravel supply has been covered or exhausted, rock must be quarried from the mountains and then crushed to make gravel. This process cost about twice as ~uch as the mining methods used along the Poudre. Presently, the City of Ft. Collins, Larimer County, Colorado State University, and Flatiron Gravel Company are coordinating their efforts to establish procedures whereby mined land may be reclaimed. Mined areas can be a valuable addition to the open space cOrridor by providing parkland, and ponds for recreation and wildlife habitat. . . . . Meander of the River. ~he Poudre through the study area is typical of a mature ~tream, meandering slowly across the plains (see Figure 2, pa~e 13). The erosion of the banks is easily seen where the current of the river rounding bends cuts into the outside bank of the curve. It erodes away the bank in larg~ chunks and fells trees by washing soil from around the roots_ As the river cuts into the curve, the current on the inside of the bend is slower, As it slows, it deposits some of the suspended materials which it carries. This builds gravel or sand bars on the inside curve (33:204-205). Oxbows are also formed. The meandering river makes a loop, and then the current of the river cuts through the ends of the loop forming a ring pattern in the river. Eventually, the ring fills with sediment and a little crescent-- . . . . .