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<br /> <br />Narrow Valley - Lake Fork of the <br />Gunnison River <br />8 <br />Floodplains <br />Flooding is a natural stream process. A floodplain (the land <br />next to a stream where water overflows during floods) is an <br />important part of the stream corridor system. <br />Floodplains play an important role in stream <br />corridors. They... <br />• Slow the velocity of floodwaters, reducing their erosive <br />force. <br />• Detain and spread out floodwaters so they seep into the <br />soil, recharge aquifers, and slowly return to the stream. <br />• Capture sediment that settles from the water, building <br />deep, fertile soils. <br />The Biological Richness of Riparian Areas and <br />Streamside Wetlands <br />Floodplains are hot spots of biodiversity and productivity. <br />Stream corridor soils are enriched by flooding. Wetlands and <br />riparian forests form rich habitats for many wildlife species, <br />including many migratory birds. <br />Wide Valley - South Platte River at <br />confluence with Cache la <br />Poudre River