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<br />the same time reducing flood losses by <br />putting development elsewhere unless <br />some overriding reason exists for using <br />a floodplain location. <br /> <br />Causes of Flood Problems <br /> <br />Floods are a natural occurrence. <br />Problems arise when homes, roads and <br />other developments are placed in their <br />path. Most flood problems exist because <br />of improper floodplain development <br />during the sometimes long periods <br />between floods. These problems increase <br />as forests and pastures along rivers <br />are converted to cropland or intensive <br />urban uses, and as seashores are develo- <br />ped as residential and resort sites. <br /> <br />Man's actions sometime increase <br />the severity and frequency of floods or <br /> <br />expose new areas to risk. Flood <br />problems along streams are increased by: <br /> <br />,I <br />I <br /> <br />. Urbanizing watersheds and covering <br />large areas with pavements and roof- <br />tops which increase the amount and <br />speed of runoff. <br /> <br />. Building <br />accelerate <br />areas. <br /> <br />drainage systems that <br />flood flows to downstream <br /> <br />. Erecting structures that deflect <br />flows, or increase downstream erosion. <br /> <br /> <br />. Constructing bridges, culverts, <br />landfills, buildings and other <br />encroachments that reduce the size of <br />the stream channel and natural <br />storage areas, thus raising flood <br />heights. <br /> <br /> <br />Thousands of communities are built close to streams that are capable of <br />producing disastrous floods. <br /> <br />14 <br />