Floodplain facts for kids
A floodplain is a flat area of land next to a river. This land gets covered by water when the river overflows its banks during a flood. Floodplains are very fertile, meaning the soil is rich and good for growing plants. This is because floodwaters leave behind a fine, nutrient-rich mud called alluvium.
Because of this rich soil, floodplains are excellent places for farming. Over time, the alluvium can build up along the river banks, forming natural raised areas called levees. These levees help to keep the river within its banks. The soil in floodplains is usually a mix of clays, silts, sands, and gravels, all brought by floods. This makes the soil very fertile.
Many important farming areas, like the Mississippi River basin in the United States and the Nile River in Africa, depend a lot on their floodplains. Cities and towns have also grown near floodplains to use the rich soil and fresh water. However, living near a river means there's always a risk of flooding. Because of this, people have worked hard to control floods and protect these areas.
Ecology of Floodplains
Floodplains are home to many different kinds of plants and animals. They create rich and active ecosystems.
The parts of the floodplain closest to the river, which get flooded often, are perfect for many water-loving species. For example, fish need to grow very quickly during a flood. This helps them survive when the water levels drop again.
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Trees that grow on floodplains grow fast. They can also handle their roots being disturbed by water. Birds are drawn to floodplains because floods bring a lot of food.
In the 1800s, floodplain forests made up about 1% of Europe's landscape. These forests help protect rivers from washing away their banks and from pollution. They also help reduce the impact of floods. Sadly, much of these forests have been cut down by people, especially in Europe. Tropical rivers, however, have been less affected by human activity.
Flood Control Efforts
Floods have caused some of the worst natural disasters in history. They have led to many deaths. For example, the 1931 China floods are thought to have killed millions of people. This makes it one of the deadliest natural disasters ever. Before that, the 1887 Yellow River flood killed about one million people.
In the United States, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) helps manage the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). This program offers insurance to people whose homes are in areas that might flood. These areas are shown on special maps called Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs).
The U.S. government also supports projects to lessen the impact of floods. Some whole towns, like English, Indiana, have been moved completely away from floodplains. Other smaller efforts include buying and tearing down buildings that are often flooded. People also work to make buildings safer from floods.
In some floodplains, like the Inner Niger Delta in Mali, annual floods are a natural and important part of the local environment and how people make a living.
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Images for kids
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Paraná River floodplain, where it meets the Paranaíba River and the Verde River near Panorama, São Paulo, Brazil.
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The floodplain after a one-in-10-year flood on the Isle of Wight.
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A gravel floodplain of a glacial river near the Snow Mountains in Alaska, 1902.
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The Laramie River winds across its floodplain in Albany County, Wyoming, 1949.
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This floodplain in La Plata County, Colorado, was formed by silt deposited above a dam. The dam was created by a moraine left by the Wisconsin Glacier.
See also
In Spanish: Llanura aluvial para niños
