floodplains, levees, estuaries

• Floodplains - an area of land which is covered in water when a river bursts its banks.
• Levees - occur when thee is an increase in the volume of water

  • Sediment that has been eroded further upstream is transported downstream
  • When a river floods, the sediment spreads out across the floodplain.
  • When a flood occurs, the river loses energy. The largest material is deposited first on the sides of the river banks.
  • After many floods, the sediment builds up to increase the height of the river banks, meaning the channel can carry more water.
• Estuary is where the river meets the sea