Who benefits from a floodplain?

The National Flood Insurance Program defines a floodplain as any land area susceptible to being covered by floodwaters from any source.  Plants, animals and people benefit from floodplains.  Floodplains provide food, recreational opportunities and scientific knowledge gained in studying them.  Floodplains also recharge groundwater supplies and their filtering actions help improve water quality.  For more information about the National Flood Insurance Program and floods go to NFIP manual.