Fluvial Landform (13. FloodPlain)

                                                                                                                                                      Back to Fluvial Landform


  •  A floodplain is 

                            Land adjacent to a stream / river
                            Near a river/stream which floods when the water level reaches flood stage.
  • That stretches from the banks of its channel.

  • Flood plains are made by a meander.
  • When a river breaks its banks & floods, it leaves behind layers of rock and mud.
  • Floodplains generally contain unconsolidated sediments.
  • Extending below the bed of the stream.
  • These are accumulations of :

                                    sand                      gravel
                                    loam                      silt/clay


  • The floodplain during its formation is marked by meandering or an astomotic streams:

                                   ox-bow lakes
                                   bayous
                                   marshes/stagnant pools

Historically, many towns have been built on floodplains, where they are highly susceptible to flooding, for a number of reasons:

  • access to fresh water;
  • the fertility of floodplain land for farming;
  • cheap transportation, via rivers and railroads, which often followed rivers;
  • ease of development of flat land