Lower Cedar Alcoves 2013

Alcoves are small embayments found along a river's edge. They are found at the downstream end of gravel bars, tributary confluences, and other localized channel expansions. Alcoves generally have low velocities because they are protected from the main current, though they may "wash out" at higher flows. Alcoves are a type of off-channel habitat that are used by juvenile salmon for rearing.河湾凹地（Alcoves）是沿河岸分布的小型港湾式水域。它们多形成于砾石滩下游端、支流汇口以及其他局部河道展宽区域。由于不受主流直接冲击，河湾凹地内的流速普遍较低，但在高流量条件下可能会被水流冲刷消失。河湾凹地属于一类河道外生境，是幼鲑育幼栖息的重要场所。