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Flood

1. An overflow or inundation that comes from a river or other body of water, and causes or threatens damage. 2. Any relatively high streamflow overtopping the natural or artificial banks in any reach of a stream. 3. A relatively high flow as measured by either gage height or discharge quantity.

Flood crest

See Flood peak.

Flood event

See Flood wave.

Flood peak

The highest value of the stage or discharge attained by a flood; thus, peak stage or peak discharge. Flood crest has nearly the same meaning, but since it connotes the top of the flood wave, it is properly used only in referring to stage--thus, crest stage, but not crest discharge.

Flood plain

A strip of relatively smooth land bordering a stream, built of sediment carried by the stream and dropped in the slack water beyond the influence of the swiftest current. It is called a living flood plain if it is overflowed in times of highwater; but a fossil flood plain if it is beyond the reach of the highest flood.

Flood plane

The position occupied by the water surface of a stream during a particular flood. Also, loosely, the elevation of the water surface at various points along the stream during a particular flood.

Flood profile

A graph of elevation of the water surface of a river in flood, plotted as ordinate, against distance, measured in the downstream direction, plotted as abscissa. A flood profile may be drawn to show elevation at a given time, crests during a particular flood, or to show stages of concordant flows.

Flood routing

The process of determining progressively the timing and shape of a flood wave at successive points along a river.

Flood stage

The gage height of the lowest bank of the reach in which the gage is situated. The term "lowest bank" is, however, not to be taken to mean an unusually low place or break in the natural bank through which the water inundates an unimportant and small area. The stage at which overflow of the natural banks of a stream begins to cause damage in the reach in which the elevation is measured.

Flood wave

A distinct rise in stage culminating in a crest and followed by recession to lower stages.

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