We will begin by reviewing some recent work on how jet separation scales with Rhines scale and deformation radius in the quasigeostrophic shallow-water system on the beta-plane. Simple estimates based on straight-jet profiles require modification at small deformation radius when jets begin to meander extensively in latitude. Allowing the Rhines scale to exceed the domain scale leads to a simplification of the flow structure. New work suggests a condensation of the flow into a simple, stationary form comprising a single jet meandering extensively around two compact vortices, with a transition in the jet structure between small and large deformation radii. The relation to the vorticity condensate obtained with beta=0 will also be discussed briefly.