Natural Levee Landscape

Synonym: Levee landscape, natural barrier landscape

This is a landscape composed of natural levees deposited along river banks. During flood periods, the rate of overflow from the river decreases abruptly; therefore, its ability to carry sediments decreases. As a result, abundant sand and mud are deposited along the river banks. When the flood water retreats, various sections of these long levees remain behind, forming the highest part of the floodplain. The two slopes of the levee are asymmetrical; the back-valley slope is steep, but the valley-facing slope is gentle. The levee height increases in every flood. Whenever the levee remains intact, silt accumulates on the riverbed, and it may grow higher than the floodplain, forming an elevated river. Lakes or swamps are often located in the lowlands between two rivers. When a natural levee breaks, the river may change its course and flow out from the break to form a large flood fan. Natural levees are common along the banks of...