floodplain

top: a river at normal level

bottom: a river that has flooded and spread to low-lying areas on either side of the river

flood·plain

also flood plain (flŭd′plān′)

A plain bordering a river and subject to flooding at times of high water.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

flood plain

1. (Physical Geography) the flat area bordering a river, composed of sediment deposited during flooding

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

flood′ plain`

or flood′plain`,

a nearly flat plain along the course of a stream or river that is naturally subject to flooding.

[1870–75]

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun

flood plain - a low plain adjacent to a river that is formed chiefly of river sediment and is subject to flooding

floodplain

champaign, plain, field - extensive tract of level open land; "they emerged from the woods onto a vast open plain"; "he longed for the fields of his youth"

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References in periodicals archive

Despite stricter controls on development in areas at risk of flooding, local authorities are still granting planning permission to developers to build in flood plain areas.

Flood risks must be minimised; PROPERTY BRIEFING

Following pressure from community councillors, the Environment Agency has agreed to reduce the flood plain area for Talybont, Gwynedd, by almost 90 per cent.

WALES: NO MORE FLOODS; Map redrawn to cut flood zone by 90%

"Basically all the building work is pushing the flood plain back.

FLOODY STUPID! Despite the misery of the past week, firm still wants to build 700 houses here

Flood protection bunds exist on both banks of Indus River stretch and the flood plain is 8-12km,' the meeting was informed.

Centre announces Rs125bn Sindh barrage project

Flood protection bunds exist on either bank of Indus River stretch and the flood plain is eight to 12 km.

Sindh, fed govts agree to construct new barrage on River Indus

The WAPDA chief told the meeting that around 56,500 acres land would be acquisitinoned which include 55,000 acres for flood plain, 700 acres for right bank canal and 800 acres for Left bank Canal.

Sindh Government and Federal Government agree to construct new barrage on River Indus - Press Note issued by Chief Minister House, Sindh

The WAPDA chief told the meeting that around 56,500 acres land would be acquired which includes 55,000 acres for flood plain, 700 acres for right bank canal and 800 acres for left bank canal.

Centre and Sindh agree to construct new barrage on River Indus

According to Delhi government, the Yamuna flood plain project is first of its kind in the country and was recommended in BGT order 2015 which talked about Yamuna Rejuvenation plan.

Delhi govt's project for conserving water in Yamuna floodplains gets clearances

The flood plain of the Ravi was found mostly contaminated with arsenic.

Growing arsenic pollution of groundwater

We are not sure which flood plain rules are being used by various cities and municipalities, but surely there's a need to change the minimum requirements developers must follow before they are allowed to build in flood plains.

Improper land use

If you are getting ready to build a new home or structure, evaluate your property for a suitable building area outside the flood plain.

A wakeup call for flood insurance here's how to afford it