What term describes the ridges of sediment found in straighter sections of a meander?

The term that describes the ridges of sediment found in straighter sections of a meander is "riffles." Riffles are typically formed in flowing water systems, like rivers or streams, where the current is faster and can move sediments, creating shallower areas where water flows over rocks or sediment ridges. These areas are characterized by higher energy and play a crucial role in the ecology of the water body, supporting various aquatic plants and animals.

In a meandering river, riffles often develop at the straighter sections due to the changes in water depth and flow speed, which leads to sediment deposition in these areas. This contrasts with features like deltas, which occur where sediment is deposited at the mouth of a river as it flows into a larger body of water, and barriers, which are constructed to regulate water flow but do not refer to natural sediment formations in meanders. Cuts, which might refer to features created by erosion or sediment displacement, do not accurately capture the specific sediment ridges termed as riffles.