Legal Definitions - bottomland

Bottomland refers to low-lying land, typically found alongside rivers, streams, or other bodies of water. This type of land is often part of a natural floodplain, meaning it is susceptible to periodic inundation when water levels rise. Due to its proximity to water and the deposition of nutrient-rich sediments, bottomland usually features fertile soil, making it valuable for agriculture, but also presenting unique challenges for development and land management due to the risk of flooding.

• Agricultural Use: Imagine a farmer in a rural area who owns fields situated directly adjacent to a large river. These fields are renowned for their exceptionally rich, dark soil, which consistently produces abundant harvests of corn and soybeans. However, during periods of heavy rainfall upstream, the river occasionally overflows its banks, temporarily submerging these productive fields.

  This scenario illustrates bottomland because the farmer's fields are low-lying, located immediately next to a river, and are part of its natural floodplain. Despite the occasional flooding, the land's inherent fertility makes it highly desirable for agricultural purposes, a common characteristic of bottomland.

• Wildlife Habitat: Consider a state park that includes a significant section of land along a meandering creek. This particular area is characterized by dense stands of water-tolerant trees like cypress and willows, and it becomes partially submerged during the spring thaw. It serves as a crucial breeding ground for various amphibians and a stopover point for migratory waterfowl.

  This example demonstrates bottomland as it describes a low-lying area directly bordering a water body (the creek) that supports a unique ecosystem adapted to periodic flooding. The ecological importance of such areas for wildlife is a key aspect often associated with bottomland.

• Urban Development Challenges: A city planning department is evaluating a proposal to construct a new community center. The preferred site is a large, flat parcel of undeveloped land located on the outskirts of town, bordering a small, slow-moving river. While the site offers ample space, historical records indicate that this specific parcel has been underwater during several significant storm events over the past century, raising concerns about flood insurance and structural resilience.

  Here, the proposed construction site is bottomland because it is a low-lying area situated directly next to a river, placing it within the river's floodplain. The historical flooding data highlights the inherent susceptibility of bottomland to inundation, which is a critical factor in land use and development decisions.