Which of the following best defines "sinuosity" in the context of waterways?

Sinuosity, in the context of waterways, refers to the curving nature of a stream or river. It is a measure of how much a stream deviates from a straight line; that is, it quantifies the overall curvature or meandering of the waterway. A higher sinuosity indicates a more winding path and can significantly influence river behavior, habitat, and sediment transport.

When considering the other options, while the rate of flow, amount of sediment, and depth of a river are all characteristics of waterways, they do not relate to the concept of sinuosity. The rate of flow pertains to the speed at which water travels through a channel, the amount of sediment deals with the particles carried by the water, and the depth refers to how deep the water body is. None of these describe the winding or curving aspect of a stream, which is why the definition focusing on the curving nature of a stream aligns perfectly with the term "sinuosity."