Reconnecting Rivers to Floodplains

Resource: Report

Source: American Rivers

Floodplains are an integral part of healthy rivers, and floods are a natural occurrence on rivers. Natural floodplains provide many benefits to people and nature. They provide clean water supplies, recreation opportunities, habitat for fish and wildlife, and, when left undeveloped, they safely convey flood water.

Unfortunately, across the United States, floodplains have been disconnected from rivers and modified on a massive scale, resulting in a loss of floodplain benefits. But floodplains and their benefits to people and nature can be restored by getting water on the floodplain at the right time, in the right amount, and for the right duration to support natural floodplain habitats.