flood plain

Or floodplain

noun

1. a nearly flat plain along the course of a stream or river that is naturally subject to flooding.

flood plain

noun

1. the flat area bordering a river, composed of sediment deposited during flooding

Word History and Origins

Origin of flood plain¹

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

Texas lawmakers this month passed new laws barring summer camps from having cabins in flood plains.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It might be that in an era of what researchers are calling “mega rain” events, a flood plain should now be off-limits.

Read more on Salon

He even ordered the Army Corps of Engineers to release millions of gallons into a flood plain and then weirdly claimed that he'd "invaded" Los Angeles and solved its water problem.

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The flood plain is defined as areas that have at least a 1% chance of flooding each year, which is considered to be “high risk,” according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"This means that, in many cases, building design codes are not enforced, and construction happens in areas that could be prone to enhanced seismic risk, for example flood plains and steep slopes."

Read more on BBC