Floodplain ProcessesFloodplain ProcessesKaren Hall
NC Stream Restoration Institute
North Carolina State University
FloodplainsFloodplains
Floodplains are depositional and erosional areas adjacent to streams where the active channel spills during flood events (bankfull events).
Floodplain FormationFloodplain Formation
Lateral accretionVertical accretion
2001 2003
2004 2005
Floodplain FormationFloodplain Formation
Lateral accretionVertical accretion
Floodplain FunctionsFloodplain Functions
Sediment StorageFloodwater Storage/Peak Flow ModerationGroundwater RechargeChannel Stability/Erosion PreventionWater Quality Habitat
Suspended sediment in coastal waters following period of exceptionally heavy rainfall in the mid-Atlantic states, 1999. (Photo courtesy of ODU 2003)
Floodplain FunctionsFloodplain Functions
Sediment StorageFloodwater Storage/ Peak Flow ModerationGroundwater RechargeChannel Stability/Erosion PreventionWater QualityHabitat
Changes in HydrographsChanges in Hydrographs
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0 20 40 60 80
Time (hours)
Stre
am F
low
(cf
s)
Rural
Urban
Floodplain FunctionsFloodplain Functions
Sediment StorageFloodwater Storage/ Peak Flow ModerationGroundwater RechargeChannel Stability/Erosion PreventionWater QualityHabitat
HydrologicHydrologic CycleCycle
Floodplain FunctionsFloodplain Functions
Sediment StorageFloodwater Storage/ Peak Flow ModerationGroundwater RechargeChannel Stability/Erosion PreventionWater QualityHabitat
Floodplain FunctionsFloodplain Functions
Sediment StorageFloodwater Storage/ Peak Flow ModerationGroundwater RechargeChannel Stability/Erosion PreventionWater QualityHabitat
Floodplain FunctionsFloodplain Functions
Sediment StorageFloodwater Storage/ Peak Flow ModerationGroundwater RechargeChannel Stability/Erosion PreventionWater QualityHabitat