Levees and Floodplains Flashcards

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What are the characteristics of levees?
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The main characteristics of levees are:

  • raised river banks
  • consist of gravel, stones and small sediment
  • steep on the channel side, gentle sloping on the land side
  • relatively flat top covered in grass

Find out more about landforms in the lower course of the river.

What are the characteristics of levees?
Why are flood plains often very fertile?
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It’s made up of alluvium (deposited silt from a river flood).

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Why are flood plains often very fertile?
What is a flood plain?
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A flood plain is a large area of flat land on either side of the river that experiences or has experienced flooding.

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What is a flood plain?
What are the characteristics of a flood plain?
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Characteristics of a flood plain include:

  • A large area of flat land either side of a river
  • layers of alluvium cover the flood plain
  • a river bluff along the edge of a flood plain
  • meander scars
  • levees
  • rich, fertile soil
  • reeds and marsh plants

Find out more about landforms in the lower course of the river.

What are the characteristics of a flood plain?
How are levees formed?
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When a river floods friction with the floodplain leads to a rapid decrease in the velocity of the river and therefore its capacity to transport material.  Larger material is deposited closest to the river bank. This often leads to large, raised mounds being formed. Smaller material is deposited further away and leads to the formation of gently sloping sides of the levees.

Find out more about landforms in the lower course of the river.

How are levees formed?




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