Definitions and Descriptions
1. Structures
Dike: A dike is a standard engineered or designed structure constructed to prevent flooding of land. Dikes include many forms of flood protection works. A dike is defined in the Dike Maintenance Act as "an embankment, wall, fill piling, pump, gate, floodbox, pipe, sluice, culvert, canal, ditch, drain or any other thing that is constructed, assembled or installed to prevent the flooding of land."
Erosion Protection: Erosion protection is defined as protective works constructed along dike slopes, stream banks, lakes and other water bodies to prevent their erosion by surface runoff, stream flows and/or wave action.
Remnant Emergency Works: Works generally constructed under emergency conditions to provide limited, temporary flood protection. Remnant emergency works are likely of questionable quality and serviceability, but could potentially contribute towards temporary protective measures as part of an emergency preparedness and response plan.
2. Geographic Features
Riverine: Riverine areas are those through which rivers, streams or creeks, continuously or periodically flow. Riverine areas are subject to flooding by spring freshets, fall and early winter storms and intense rainstorms.
Alluvial Fan: A fan-shaped sediment deposit formed by a stream that flows from a steep mountain valley or gorge onto a plain or the junction of a tributary stream with the main stream. Alluvial fans contain active stream channels and boulder bars, and recently abandoned channels. Alluvial fans are predominantly formed by alluvial deposits and are modified by infrequent sheetflood, channel avulsions and other stream processes. They may also be subject to debris flow and debris torrents.
Coastal Shore: A coastal shore is the border of the land near the sea, between ordinary high and low water marks. Coastal shores are subject to flooding by waves, storm surges and, in some cases, by tsunamis.
Coastal Inlet: A coastal inlet is a small arm of the sea. A fjord is a type of inlet characterized as a long, narrow inlet of the sea bounded between high cliffs. Coastal inlets are subject to flooding by storm surges and, in some cases, by tsunamis.
Tsunami: A long period sea wave caused by underwater earthquakes or other disturbances. Tsunamis occur especially in the Pacific Ocean and often cause destruction in coastal areas.
3. Types of Flooding
Storm Surge: A storm surge is a rise in coastal water level caused by a regional low pressure area and water pushed toward coastal shores by prolonged wind forces. A storm surge can significantly raise the mean water level if combined with astronomical high tides. This rise in water level can cause severe flooding on coastal areas, particularly along shallow slopes along the shoreline.
Spring Freshet: Spring freshet is a rise in river levels due to snowmelt in the spring. The common mechanisms include warm temperatures and rainstorms causing prolonged snowmelt. Spring freshets typically affect interior river basins and also may form lesser floods in coastal areas.
Fall and Early Winter: Fall and early winter flooding occurs as a result of rain on snow. The most common mechanism to trigger flooding is a major rain event accompanied by warm temperatures occurring on a relatively shallow snowpack.
Rainstorm: A rainstorm is an intense storm which drops large amounts of rain within a brief period. Flash floods can occur as a result, with little or no warning, and can reach full peak in only a few minutes.
Contact Us: E-Mail: Water.Stewardship@gov.bc.ca
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