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| The phenomenon whereby a river overflows its banks. |
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| A wide, level area that borders a river and is covered by its water during a flood. |
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| Broad, looping bends in a river. |
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| A crescent-shaped body of water formed when sediments deposited by a river cut off a meander from the river. |
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| Elevated ridges along a river's bank that are formed by the deposition of the river's sediment load. |
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| A sudden flood, usually caused by intense, heavy rainfall. |
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| A swamp that forms in the lowest area of the floodplain. |
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| A new tributary that forms and flows through a back swamp. |
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| A common type of natural dam that forms when a frozen river breaks up during winter or spring thaws. |
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| the Johnstown, Pennsylvania, flood of 1889 |
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| Occurred when a reservoir dam made of earth collapsed after days of heavy rain. When the dam broke, the water in the reservoir burst down on the city, killing more than 2200 people. |
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| An example of a case where dams were built across a river to control and prevent floods. In this case, about 50 dams have been built. |
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| A channel running parallel to the main river and through back swamps. Water can be guided into it to relieve flooding. |
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| A dam built on the Kennebec River at Augusta, Maine, in 1837. It was removed in 1999 to let the waters of the river flow freely, restore the fish population, and improve recreational opportunities. |
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