Floodplain
A floodplain is a flat or nearly flat land adjacent to a stream or river. It stretches from the banks of its channel to the base of the enclosing valley walls and experiences flooding during periods of high discharge.
A floodplain includes
- the floodway
- stream channel and adjacent areas that carry flood flows
- flood fringe, which are areas covered by the flood, but which do not experience a strong current.
In other words, a floodplain is an area near a river or a stream which floods when the water level reaches flood stage.
Wetting of the floodplain soil releases an immediate surge of nutrients: those left over from the last flood, and those that result from the rapid decomposition of organic matter that has accumulated since then. The production of nutrients peaks and falls away quickly; however the surge of new growth endures for some time. This makes floodplains particularly valuable for agriculture.
Historically, many towns have been built on floodplain, where they are highly susceptible to flooding, for a number of reasons:
- access to fresh water
- the fertility of floodplain land for farming
- cheap transportation, via rivers and railroads, which often followed rivers
- ease of development of flat land
Floodplains in their natural form are beneficial for a number of reasons:
- reducing the number and severity of floods
- minimizing non-point source water pollution
- filtering storm water
- providing habitat for plants and animals
- aesthetic beauty and outdoor recreation benefits.
A floodplain includes
- the floodway
- stream channel and adjacent areas that carry flood flows
- flood fringe, which are areas covered by the flood, but which do not experience a strong current.
In other words, a floodplain is an area near a river or a stream which floods when the water level reaches flood stage.
Wetting of the floodplain soil releases an immediate surge of nutrients: those left over from the last flood, and those that result from the rapid decomposition of organic matter that has accumulated since then. The production of nutrients peaks and falls away quickly; however the surge of new growth endures for some time. This makes floodplains particularly valuable for agriculture.
Historically, many towns have been built on floodplain, where they are highly susceptible to flooding, for a number of reasons:
- access to fresh water
- the fertility of floodplain land for farming
- cheap transportation, via rivers and railroads, which often followed rivers
- ease of development of flat land
Floodplains in their natural form are beneficial for a number of reasons:
- reducing the number and severity of floods
- minimizing non-point source water pollution
- filtering storm water
- providing habitat for plants and animals
- aesthetic beauty and outdoor recreation benefits.