Floods

Flood – natural occurrence of water spilling over the sides of a stream’s banks onto the adjacent land Floodwater carries large amounts of sediment

when floodwaters recede, sediments are dropped on the floodplain Floodplain – broad, flat area that extends out from a stream’s bank Covered by excess water during flooding Develop highly fertile soil

Floods occur when runoff exceeds infiltration at a high rate If the groundwater levels are high, very little infiltration takes place The National Weather Service and U.S. Geological Survey work to keep people warned of possible floods