ABSTRACT
Floodplains are low areas subject to flooding, and these lands are regulated in most communities to minimize threats to loss of lives and damages. Floodplains occupy about 5% of the land in the United States (Linsley et al. 1992), and because they are nearly level, they are attractive sites for railroads, highways, and cities. Over the years, reservoirs, levees, and improved channels have been constructed to provide some level of flood protection. However, encroachment on lands subject to flooding has outpaced protective measures, and infrequent severe floods have overwhelmed floodcontrol works in some locations. All of these factors have made floodplain management a high priority in many communities.
