Chapter 6 - Flooding

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions related to flooding and water processes.

Flooding

A natural process of overbank flow where water overflows the banks of rivers.

Drainage basin

An area of land where precipitation collects and drains into a common outlet, typically a river.

Hydrograph

A graph that shows stream discharge over time.

Flash Flood

A sudden and intense flood that usually occurs in a localized area due to heavy rainfall.

Alluvial fan

A fan-shaped deposit of sediment formed where a river meets a body of water.

Meandering stream

A single sinuous channel that migrates back and forth within a floodplain.

Recurrence interval (RI)

The average time between flood events of a certain size.

Stream stage

The water level (depth) in a channel at any given time.

Discharge (Q)

The volume of water flowing through a cross-sectional area of the stream channel per unit of time.

Peak Annual Discharge

The highest discharge event for each year as shown on a stream hydrograph.

Erosion

The process by which soil and rock are removed from the Earth's surface by natural processes.

Sediment load

The total amount of sediment a stream carries.

Flood stage

The height at which water reaches a level likely to cause property damage.

Floodplain

The flat surface adjacent to a stream channel, which is prone to flooding.

Urbanization

The process by which rural areas become urbanized, often increasing flood risk.

Dissolved load

Materials carried in solution as ions within the water.