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Flood Control
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| flood | An overflow of a large amount of water beyond its normal confines, especially over what is normally dry land. |
| watershed | The entire land area where precipitation collects and drains into a common outlet. |
| floodplain | An area of low-lying ground adjacent to a river, formed mainly of river sediments and subject to flooding. |
| levees | Raised embankments or walls built alongside rivers to prevent flooding. |
| diversion canals | Man-made channels designed to divert floodwaters to less vulnerable areas. |
| dams | Barriers that stop or restrict the flow of water, creating reservoirs. |
| reservoirs | Large natural or artificial lakes used for water storage. |
| overbanking | When waters that exceed the capacity of the main river channel spill into the floodplain. |
| recharge | The process by which groundwater stores are replenished or refilled, often through the infiltration of rainwater or other surface waters. |