Legal Definitions - natural flood channel

A natural flood channel refers to the naturally formed path or area that a body of water, such as a river, stream, or even coastal waters, occupies when it overflows its usual banks during periods of high water or flooding. These channels are not man-made but are shaped by natural geological and hydrological processes over time. They serve as an integral part of the natural drainage system, allowing excess water to spread out, slow down, and dissipate, often reducing the impact of flooding on developed areas.

• Example 1: River into a Forested Floodplain

  After several days of heavy rain, a large river swells significantly, exceeding its normal banks. The water naturally spreads into the adjacent low-lying forested areas, temporarily submerging trees and undergrowth. This forested floodplain, shaped by centuries of similar events, acts as a natural flood channel. It allows the river's excess volume to spread out, reducing the velocity and depth of the water in the main channel, thereby mitigating more severe flooding downstream.

• Example 2: Seasonal Creek into a Meadow

  During the spring snowmelt, a small, typically narrow creek in a rural valley begins to carry a much larger volume of water than usual. Instead of being confined to its dry-season banks, the water naturally spills over into the wide, flat meadow alongside it. This meadow functions as a natural flood channel, temporarily holding and slowly releasing the surplus water, which helps prevent more severe flooding in the populated areas further down the valley.

• Example 3: Coastal Marshland During a Storm Surge

  A coastal community experiences a significant storm surge from a hurricane. The adjacent salt marsh, a naturally low-lying wetland area, becomes completely inundated with seawater. This marsh acts as a natural flood channel, absorbing and buffering the incoming storm surge. By dissipating the water's energy and volume across a wide natural expanse, it reduces the direct impact and potential damage to developed areas further inland.